Roundup Weed Killer Threatens Coral Reefs, Persists In SeawaterThe coral reefs are dying and the seas are increasingly depleted of sea life. Could Roundup weed killer be partially to blame? A highly concerning new study published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin indicates that theworlds most popular herbicide glyphosate (aka Roundup), used primarily in GM agriculture, is particularly resistant to biodegradation in coral reef collected sea water, and could therefore be a major contributor to the decline of marine coral reef systems such as the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds biggest single structure made by living organisms, and is so massive it is visible from outer space.[i] Sadly, according to a study published in 2012 by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985,[ii] which is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including climate change induced acidification of the ocean, outbreaks of predator species and extensive pollution. Despite the established role of agrichemicals in harming sea life, glyphosate has yet to be included in marine monitoring programs for its impacts on the reef this despite being used at a rate of 30,000,000 lbs annually in Australia. In the new study titled, Glyphosate persistence in seawater, Australian marine researchers describe increasing concern over the global loss of corals and seagrass and this has been particularly well documented for the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef (GBR), pointing out that extensive agriculture activities impact water quality around reefs and seagrass beds, especially during the summer wet season from November to March, when rain-induced flooding delivers runoff containing excess sediments, nutrients, and pesticides, and with satellite imagery reveals their associated plumes travel up to 50 km offshore as far as the midshelf coral reefs. When compared to previously reported half-life estimates for glyphosate biodegradation in soil and fresh waters, the sea water estimates are dramatically higher. Previous soil and water data described glyphosates biodegration half-life to be as rapid as 5 days for field soil and 49 days for bog and natural water.* If the new sea water flask experiments accurately reflect real world conditions, glyphosates maximal 315 day half life in sea water would add up to 63-fold increased persistence to the chemicals toxicological profile. The researchers also pointed out that flooding events which would bring glyphosate to sea would involve co-occurrence of massive quantities of sediment to which glyphosate readily binds, which would further prevent glyphosates biodegradation, potentially greatly enhancing its persistence and toxic effects. Despite previous assurances by both the manufacturer (Monsanto) and regulatory bodies that glyphosate is safe to the environment and highly biodegradable, an increasingly alarming body of experimental data on glyphosates toxicity indicates that the chemical is extremely toxic, exhibiting potentially carcinogenic endocrine disrupting activity in the parts-per-trillion concentration range, as well as a laundry list of multiple modes of toxicity to animal life. For direct access to the biomedical data on glyphostes toxicological profile, view our section on the topic: Glyphosate Toxicity. *Note: accumulating evidence reveals that these original estimates are inaccurate and that glyphosates persistence in the soil, groundwater, and even air, is a far greater problem than officially acknowledged. Notes: [i] Sarah Belfield (8 February 2002). Great Barrier Reef: no buried treasure This article first appeared at GreenMedInfo. Please visit to access their vast database of articles and the latest information in natural health. 