The molecules of glyphosate tightly bond to organic matter and soil, though in sandy soils glyphosate can remain active and free. Rodeo , a version with glyphosate and distilled water, is also manufactured to be used in aquatic weed programs. Monsanto supports this use by asserting that at the levels used, the herbicide will not effect aquatic life. While this may be true if glyphosate is maintained at very low doses for sporadic periods, genetic damage may occur in tadpoles if exposed to labeled levels for more than 24 hours. Microorganisms and fungal species should also be considered, particularly as Roundup herbicide is being used on more and more acres throughout the world.
Fungal species are important to the cycling of nutrients.
Fungi break down dead plant tissue and allow root systems to then take up the available nutrients. While glyphosate usually did not exert any effect on the total count of soil fungi, it did alter sub-soil fungal organisms, after testing periods lasting six to ten weeks. Two strains of fungi showed population increases after treatment with Roundup , while one strain, Penicillum funiculosum, was completely eliminated by a high treatment level. The Main Point Glyphosate is responsible for a number of work-related injuries in the United States. In 1995, glyphosate ranked eighth.