Effect of glyphosate on growth and fatty acids profile of the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda

Glyphosate (GLY) can easily reach coastal marine waters representing a potential risk for living organisms. In this study, the effect of a glyphosate-based herbicide formulation (0 μg/L, 50 μg/L, 100 μg/L), on the growth (head length and antennae segments number) and fatty acids composition of the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda was investigated. The experiment lasted 28 days. In general, growth was slowed by exposure to GLY. Sub-lethal concentrations of GLY also affected the FAs profile of G. aequicauda. A significant decrease in the two essential FAs of the n-3 series eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids at both GLY concentrations was observed. This pattern of results can lead to significant changes in trophic structure of coastal and estuarine environments.