Review and synthesis of Carnation Creek herbicide research

Abstract

Carnation Creek Watershed, on the W coast of Vancouver Island, was aerially treated with glyphosate in September 1984. In tributaries oversprayed with the herbicide, impacts on coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and other aquatic organisms were short-term, and considered to be acceptable. Residue movements within the watershed and residue inputs into the aquatic ecosystem were monitored. Glyphosate residues rapidly dissipated and degraded in the natural environment. After a year, remaining residues were strongly absorbed to organic matter, soil particles, and/or stream bottom sediments, where they appeared to be inactivated and immobilized. -from Authors