ABSTRACT
The development and evaluation of controlled release aquatic herbicides is a natural outgrowth of the antifouling and molluscicide endeavors of the author and the work with plastic/pesticide systems under the direction of Dr. William Barnes, then at the U. S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency. Basically, though, controlled release aquatic herbicides are available, whereas the tremendous area encompassing terrestrial agents remains only an extremely fertile field for future research. Aquatic weed control methods have various effects on the ecology. Although environmental impact is almost always associated with the use of chemical agents, mechanical and cultural control techniques can have considerable biological effect, e.g., manipulation of water level as a weed control technique can considerably alter the biosphere involved. Biological control methods also affect the environment, usually through destroying the dominant target plant and thereby enhancing the growth of subordinate species.
