The impact of acute exposure to the glyphosate-based herbicide Templo® on yellowtail tetra fish Astyanax lacustris, both before and after treatment through a vertical flow constructed wetland system

Abstract Numerous studies have investigated the genotoxicity of agricultural pesticides and potential alternatives for the treatment of contaminated wastewater. This particular study aimed to evaluate the cyto/genotoxic effects of the glyphosate-based commercial herbicide Templo® on the fish species Astyanax lacustris, both before and after treatment with a vertical flow constructed wetland system (VFCW). The micronucleus test (MN), cellular morphological changes (CMC), and comet assay were utilized to assess the herbicide’s effects. The A. lacustris specimens were exposed to a concentration of 20 µg/L (control group without phytoremediation treatment = GWTP), while another group underwent treatment through phytoremediation (treated group by phytoremediation = TGP) for a duration of 96 hours at the same concentration. The results demonstrated that the herbicide induced MN formation, DNA damage, and various types of CMC in all tested concentrations of A. lacustris. Notably, all group analyses yielded significant results (p < 0.05). The VFCW system effectively bioremediated the herbicide, achieving a 95% removal rate of the 20 µg/L glyphosate concentration, as confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Therefore, the herbicide Templo® presents a potential risk for genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in aquatic organisms, while the VFCW system has proven to be efficient in treating this herbicide.