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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #152472
Title: MESOCOSM TESTING OF BASIS GOLD¿ HERBICIDE FOR EFFECTS ON SUNSHINE BASS CULTURE PONDS

Author
item Ludwig, Gerald
item PERSCHBACHER, PETER - UAPB
item EDYZIE, REGINA - UAPB

Submitted to: World Aquaculture Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/24/2003
Publication Date: 3/1/2004
Citation: Ludwig, G.M., Perschbacher, P., Edyzie, R. 2004. Mesocosm testing of basis gold herbicide for effects on sunshine bass culture ponds [abstract]. In: World Aquaculture Society Meeting. p. 363.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fish culture ponds are often adjacent to row crop fields that require aerial application of herbicides. We investigated the effects of drift of the corn herbicide Basis Gold' applied aerially on aquaculture ponds. The main components are rimsulfuron, nicosulfuron and atrazine. Concentrations equal to a direct application (equivalent to 0.79lb/z active ingredient), and at 1/10 and 1/100 of that amount to simulate aerial drift were tested in 500 liter mesocosms filled with water from a sunshine bass culture pond. No measurable effects were found for rimsulfuron and nicosulfuron. Atrazine reduced chlorophyll a by 28.3% and 31.9% in the full application treatment by 48h and 72h. However, by 168h mean chlorophyll a concentration in the full treatment exceeded the control by 49%. Primary productivity for the full treatment was significantly decreased by 57.4% by 24h, 63.2% by 48h and 63.1% by72h after it was applied but returned to control levels one week after application. The 10% and the 1% treatments were also less than the control at 48h. At the end of a week morning dissolved oxygen levels of the full and 1/10th treatments were 13.8% and 11.4% higher than the control treatment. Slightly reduced pH levels were found in the full application treatment at 48h, 72h and 168h. Total ammonia nitrogen concentrations were slightly elevated in the full strength treatment at 72 h and un-ionized ammonia nitrogen averaged 0.061 mg/l, significantly higher than the 0.044 mg/l concentration in the control at 169h. Although there were significant affects, the results did not indicate a significant biological risk to culture ponds.