Glyphosate: A Terrestrial Threat to Marine Plants? A Study on the Seagrass Zostera marina

Abstract

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are extensively used worldwide, raising concerns about their potential effect on non-target aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the short-term physiological effects of a commercially available GBH on the seagrass Zostera marina under controlled mesocosm conditions. Z. marina individuals were exposed to three concentrations of glyphosate (0.165, 51, and 5100 mg L−1) for 4 days, and the impacts on photosynthetic performance, growth rate, photosynthetic pigments content and energy metabolism were assessed. Exposure to 5100 mg L−1 of glyphosate caused rapid water acidification and complete plant mortality within 24 h. Exposure to 51 mg L−1 of glyphosate significantly impaired photosynthetic efficiency and foliar growth rate. Energy availability, photosynthesis and photosynthetic pigments content were highly disrupted at both higher concentrations. Exposure to 0.165 mg L−1 of glyphosate decreased the foliar chlorophyll a/b ratio. These findings show that Z. marina can potentially be threatened by the presence of GBHs even at lower concentrations and underscore the necessity for monitoring herbicide pollution in coastal waters to protect seagrass habitats and associated ecosystems. Further research is needed to assess long-term effects and the role of herbicide formulations in mediating toxicity.

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