Use of Toxicity Tests to Assess the Harmfulness of Selected Herbicides

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of selected herbicides: Roundup Flex Ogrod, Sprinter 350 SL and Chwastox TRIO ® 540 SL on the natural environment. The effect of herbicide preparations on the survival and life functions of test organisms was determined using toxicological studies. Various taxa were selected for toxicity tests: Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, bioluminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri, aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna and Chironomus sp. larvae. A determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of herbicides on selected micro-organisms was carried out, as well as an effective concentration (EC 50 ) to inhibit the bioluminescence of Aliivibrio fischeri, and acute toxicity tests were performed with Daphnia magna and Chironomus sp., for which a lethal concentration (LC 50 ) was determined. In acute tests, the LC 50 concentration was calculated by statistical methods. All tested herbicides belong to highly toxic compounds. Sprinter 350 SL showed the highest degree of toxicity, while Roundup Flex Ogrod and Chwastox TRIO ® 540 SL showed similar harmfulness. The herbicide formulations tested showed varying degrees of toxicity using Daphnia crustaceans and Chironomus larvae. Daphnia were more sensitive in acute tests. Based on the conducted research, it was found that regular and detailed control of toxicity and the impact of herbicides on the environment is necessary.