Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007ME156B

A New Method to Monitor Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Ponds Treated with Herbicides

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $17,655 Total Non-Federal Funds: $36,272

Principal Investigators: Howard Patterson, Roy Bouchard, David Courtemanch, John McPhedran, John Peckenham, Jamie Pinto, Collin Roesler

Abstract: This project will measure changes in algae fluorescence as a response to herbicide treatment as a way to monitor aquatic ecosystem health. Herbicide treatments are used to control invasive aquatic plants such as hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) has monitored and assessed effects of previous herbicide treatments to suppress hydrilla in Pickerel Pond but has not monitored effects on aquatic ecosystem health. Algae assemblages will be monitored in a natural water body, Pickerel Pond, Maine, being treated with the herbicide Sonar A.S. which contains fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone, made by SePro Corp.). This project will look at algae fluorescence over the course of herbicide treatment in multiple waterbodies to determine changes in biomass and species composition. Multi-spectral in situ fluorescence will be used to monitor algal species response to herbicide treatment; quenching is expected in sensitive species. Light absorption/fluorescence spectra are unique, so the fluorescent signal of invasive plants will be examined to see if this technique can be used to census invasive plant biomass. Laboratory experiments will also be conducted on Ankistrodesmus falcatus cultures dosed with various concentration of Sonar A.S. to determine the applicability of our sensor technology to monitor algal response to herbicide treatments.