THE EFFECTS OF DIPOTASSIUM ENDOTHALL ON THE ZOOPLANKTON AND WATER QUALITY OF A SMALL POND1

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Zooplankton samples and dissolved oxygen‐temperature readings and water samples were taken from a treatment and control pond on 41 and 42 separate occasions, respectively, both before and after the application of 5.0 mg/l (a.i.) dipotassium endothall to the 0.31 ha treatment pond on May 31, 1973. Seasonal fluctuations in the density of Cladocera and Copepoda coincided quite closely in both ponds and were similar to the fluctuations reported in the literature to be typical of temperate region ponds and lakes. An apparent seasonal shift in generic composition from .Daphnia spp. in May to Ceriodaphnia spp. in June to Chydorus spp. from July/early September occurred in both ponds and is thought to be at least partially due to fish predation. No apparent changes in species composition or generic densities of Cladocerans was noted in the treatment pond that did not also occur in the control pond. There were no noticeable effects of the dipotassium endothall on either the Calanoida or Cyclopoida suborders of Copepoda. A later pulse of Ostracoda in the treatment pond, when compared to the control, may have been due to the dipotassium endothall or to a combination of the effects of the herbicide on the macrophytes and the method of sampling. A decrease in dissolved oxygen below saturation, occurring in the treated pond from 3–21 days after treatment, was attributed to an increase in biological oxygen demand associated with weed‐kill. There was no noticeable increase in plant nutrients (N and P) in the treated pond following herbicide application, nor were there any apparent changes in the other chemical parameters studied.