Fate and transport of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in surface waters of agricultural basins.
TL;DR: Glyphosate use in a watershed results in some occurrence in surface water; however, the watersheds most at risk for the offsite transport of glyphosate are those with high application rates, rainfall that results in overland runoff and a flow route that does not include transport through the soil.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] is a herbicide used widely throughout the world in the production of many crops and is heavily used on soybeans, corn and cotton. Glyphosate is used in almost all agricultural areas of the United States, and the agricultural use of glyphosate has increased from less than 10000 Mg in 1992 to more than 80000 Mg in 2007. The greatest intensity of glyphosate use is in the midwestern United States, where applications are predominantly to genetically modified corn and soybeans. In spite of the increase in usage across the United States, the characterization of the transport of glyphosate and its degradate aminomethylphosphonicacid (AMPA) on a watershed scale is lacking. RESULTS: Glyphosate and AMPA were frequently detected in the surface waters of four agricultural basins. The frequency and magnitude of detections varied across basins, and the load, as a percentage of use, ranged from 0.009 to 0.86% and could be related to three general characteristics: source strength, rainfall runoff andflow route. CONCLUSIONS: Glyphosate use in a watershed results in some occurrence in surface water; however, the watersheds most at risk for the offsite transport of glyphosate are those with high application rates, rainfall that results in overland runoff and a flow route that does not include transport through the soil. c � 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review summarizes current knowledge about residual glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA in the aquatic environment, including its status and toxic effects in aquatic organisms, mainly fish.
Abstract: Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) was developed in the early 1970s and at present is used as a herbicide to kill broadleaf weeds and grass. The widely occurring degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is a result of glyphosate and amino-polyphosphonate degradation. The massive use of the parent compound leads to the ubiquity of AMPA in the environment, and particularly in water. Considering this, it can be assumed that glyphosate and its major metabolites could pose a potential risk to aquatic organisms. This review summarizes current knowledge about residual glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA in the aquatic environment, including its status and toxic effects in aquatic organisms, mainly fish. Based on the above, we identify major gaps in the current knowledge and some directions for future research knowledge about the effects of worldwide use of herbicide glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA. The toxic effect of glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA has mainly influenced growth, early development, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, haematological, and biochemical plasma indices and also caused histopathological changes in aquatic organisms.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects on periphytic diatoms of exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide formulation at concentrations from 0 to 10mg L−1 of active ingredient were investigated.
11 citations
01 Jan 2015
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TL;DR: Study of GLYP leaching and transformations in a lysimeter field experiment over a study period of one hydrological year confirmed rapid degradation to further degradation products, e.g., 15NH4+, which plausibly was taken up as nutrient by plants.
Abstract: Glyphosate (GLYP), the globally most important herbicide, may have effects in various compartments of the environment such as soil and water. Although laboratory studies showed fast microbial degradation and a low leaching potential, it is often detected in various environmental compartments, but pathways are unknown. Therefore, the objective was to study GLYP leaching and transformations in a lysimeter field experiment over a study period of one hydrological year using non-radioactive 13C2-15N-GLYP labelling and maize cultivation. 15N and 13C were selectively measured using isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS) in leachates, soil, and plant material. Additionally, HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used for quantitation of GLYP and its main degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in different environmental compartments (leachates and soil). Results show low recoveries for GLYP (< 3%) and AMPA (< level of detection) in soil after the study period, whereas recoveries of 15N (11–19%) and 13C (23–54%) were higher. Time independent enrichment of 15N and 13C and the absence of GLYP and AMPA in leachates indicated further degradation. 15N was enriched in all compartments of maize plants (roots, shoots, and cobs). 13C was only enriched in roots. Results confirmed rapid degradation to further degradation products, e.g., 15NH4+, which plausibly was taken up as nutrient by plants. Due to the discrepancy of low GLYP and AMPA concentrations in soil, but higher values for 15N and 13C after the study period, it cannot be excluded that non-extractable residues of GLYP remained and accumulated in soil.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the effects of 50-day exposure of primary metabolites of chloroacetamide herbicide, acetochlor ESA (AE), and glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA; 4 µg/L) on mortality, growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, behaviour, and gill histology of early life stages of marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) were investigated.
Abstract: Simple Summary Due to the rising population, it is necessary to ensure sustainable agricultural management, especially in agricultural production. Therefore, using pesticides is the only way to reach a sufficient number of crops for the human population. However, using these agrochemicals has one big disadvantage—harmful effects on non-target species. Since aquatic ecosystems are essential for biota, fauna, flora, and humans, this study provides information about the toxicity of primary metabolites of commonly used glyphosate and acetochlor herbicides. Generally, it is known that pesticide degradation products may have lower, the same, or even higher toxicity than their parental compounds. Moreover, the developmental stages are more predisposed to be affected by pollution than adults, and consequently, in the worst case, it may affect the whole species population. Due to this reason, we studied the toxicity of these metabolites on embryolarval marbled crayfish—how they can affect their growth, ontogenetic development, behaviour, and gill morphology. Our study revealed that these two metabolites alone induce changes in behaviour, antioxidant enzymes, and gill morphology, even in combination. Nevertheless, there is a gap in the knowledge about pesticides’ metabolite toxicities, a small fraction of the hundreds with potential for entering the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, chronic toxicity tests are suitable for evaluating the toxicity of aquatic pollution. Abstract Degradation products of herbicides, alone and in combination, may affect non-target aquatic organisms via leaching or runoff from the soil. The effects of 50-day exposure of primary metabolites of chloroacetamide herbicide, acetochlor ESA (AE; 4 µg/L), and glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA; 4 µg/L), and their combination (AMPA + AE; 4 + 4 µg/L) on mortality, growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, behaviour, and gill histology of early life stages of marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) were investigated. While no treatment effects were observed on cumulative mortality or early ontogeny, growth was significantly lower in all exposed groups compared with the control group. Significant superoxide dismutase activity was observed in exposure groups, and significantly higher glutathione S-transferase activity only in the AMPA + AE group. The gill epithelium in AMPA + AE-exposed crayfish showed swelling as well as numerous unidentified fragments in interlamellar space. Velocity and distance moved in crayfish exposed to metabolites did not differ from controls, but increased activity was observed in the AMPA and AE groups. The study reveals the potential risks of glyphosate and acetochlor herbicide usage through their primary metabolites in the early life stages of marbled crayfish.
10 citations
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TL;DR: Glyphosate-based weed control products are among the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicides in the world and have been extensively investigated for their potential to produce adverse effects in nontarget organisms as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Glyphosate-based weed control products are among the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicides in the world. The herbicidal properties of glyphosate were discovered in 1970, and commercial formulations for nonselective weed control were first introduced in 1974 (Franz et al. 1997). Formulations of glyphosate, including Roundup® Herbicide (RU)1 (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO), have been extensively investigated for their potential to produce adverse effects in nontarget organisms. Governmental regulatory agencies, international organizations, and others have reviewed and assessed the available scientific data for glyphosate formulations and independently judged their safety. Conclusions from three major organizations are publicly available and indicate RU can be used with minimal risk to the environment (Agriculture Canada 1991; USEPA 1993a; WHO 1994). Several review publications are available on the fate and effects of RU or glyphosate in the environment (Carlisle and Trevors 1988;Smith and Oehme 1992 ; Malik et al. 1989;Rueppel et al. 1977; Sullivan and Sullivan 1997;Forestry Canada, 1989). In addition, several books have been published about the environmental and human health considerations of glyphosate and its formulations (Grossbard and Atkinson 1985; Franz et al. 1997). In addition, RU and other glyphosate formulations have been selected for use in a number of weed control programs for state and local jurisdictions in the United States. Many of these uses require that ecological risk assessments be conducted in the form of Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments. These documents are comprehensive and specific to local use situations. Documents are available for risk assessments in Texas, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and other states (USDA 1989;USDA 1992;USDA 1996;USDA 1997;USDI 1989; Washington State DOT 1993).
883 citations
TL;DR: The literature on pesticide losses in runoff waters from agricultural fields is reviewed in this paper, where the majority of commercial pesticides, total losses are 0.5%0 or less of the amounts applied, unless severe rainfall conditions occur within 1-2 weeks after application.
Abstract: The literature on pesticide losses in runoff waters from agricultural fields is reviewed. For the majority of commercial pesticides, total losses are 0.5%0 or less of the amounts applied, unless severe rainfall conditions occur within 1–2 weeks after application. Exceptions are the organochlorine insecticides, which may lose about 1% regardless of weather pattern because of their long persistence; and soil surface-applied, wettable-powder formulations of herbicides, which may lose up to 5%, depending on weather and slope, because of the ease of washoff of the powder.Pesticides with solubilities of 10 ppm or higher are lost mainly in the water phase of runoff, and erosion control practices will have little effect on such losses. Organochlorine pesticides, paraquat, and arsenical pesticides, however, are important cases of pesticides which are strongly adsorbed by sediments, and erosion control can be important in controlling losses of these compounds.The behavior and fate of pesticides in streams receiving runoff is generally not known. Information on such factors as time and distance of impact of a given runoff event, ability of local ecosystems to recover from transient pesticide concentrations, and dissipation or concentration processes in aquatic ecosystems will have to be obtained before “edge-of-field” pesticide losses can be related to water quality in receiving waters.
753 citations
TL;DR: Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was readily bound to kaolinite, illite, and bentonite clay and to charcoal and muck but not to ethyl cellulose as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was readily bound to kaolinite, illite, and bentonite clay and to charcoal and muck but not to ethyl cellulose. Fe+++ and Al+++-saturated clays and organic matter adsorbed more glyphosate than Na+ or Ca+-saturated clays and organic matter. Glyphosate appears to be bound to the soil through the phosphonic acid moiety as phosphate in the soil competed with 14C-glyphosate for adsorption sites. Glyphosate mobility in the soil was very limited and was affected by pH, phosphate level, and soil type. The 14C-glyphosate was biodegraded in soil to 14CO2 possibly by co-metabolism. Potentiometric titrations of the compound gave pKa values of 2, 2.6, 5.6, and 10.6.
444 citations
TL;DR: Glyphosate-resistant crops have promoted the adoption of reduced- or no-tillage agriculture in the USA and Argentina, providing a substantial environmental benefit and the development and use of failsafe introgression barriers in crops with such linked genes is needed.
Abstract: Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine]-resistant crops (GRCs), canola (Brassica napus L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] have been commercialized and grown extensively in the Western Hemisphere and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere. Glyphosate-resistant cotton and soybean have become dominant in those countries where their planting is permitted. Effects of glyphosate on contamination of soil, water, and air are minimal, compared to some of the herbicides that they replace. No risks have been found with food or feed safety or nutritional value in products from currently available GRCs. Glyphosate-resistant crops have promoted the adoption of reduced- or no-tillage agriculture in the USA and Argentina, providing a substantial environmental benefit. Weed species in GRC fields have shifted to those that can more successfully withstand glyphosate and to those that avoid the time of its application. Three weed species have evolved resistance to glyphosate in GRCs. Glyphosate-resistant crops have greater potential to become problems as volunteer crops than do conventional crops. Glyphosate resistance transgenes have been found in fields of canola that are supposed to be non-transgenic. Under some circumstances, the largest risk of GRCs may be transgene flow (introgression) from GRCs to related species that might become problems in natural ecosystems. Glyphosate resistance transgenes themselves are highly unlikely to be a risk in wild plant populations, but when linked to transgenes that may impart fitness benefits outside of agriculture (e.g., insect resistance), natural ecosystems could be affected. The development and use of failsafe introgression barriers in crops with such linked genes is needed.
387 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) water quality model is designed to assess nonpoint and point source pollution and was recently modified for tile drainage.
Abstract: The presence of subsurface tile drainage systems can facilitate nutrient and pesticide transport, thereby contributing to environmental pollution. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) water quality model is designed to assess nonpoint and point source pollution and was recently modified for tile drainage. Over 25% of the nation's cropland required improved drainage. In this study, the model's ability to validate the tile drainage component is evaluated with nine years of hydrologic monitoring data collected from the South Fork watershed in Iowa, since about 80% of this watershed is tile drained. This watershed is a Conservation Effects Assessment Program benchmark watershed and typifies one of the more intensively managed agricultural areas in the Midwest. Comparison of measured and predicted values demonstrated that inclusion of the tile drainage system is imperative for obtaining a realistic watershed water balance. Two calibration/validation scenarios tested if the results differed in how the data set was divided. The optimum scenario results for the simulated monthly and daily flows had Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (ENS) values during the calibration/validation (1995-1998/1999-2004) periods of 0.9/0.7 and 0.5/0.4, respectively. The second scenario results for the simulated monthly and daily flows had ENS values during the calibration/validation (1995-2000/2001-2004) periods of 0.8/0.5 and 0.7/0.2, respectively. The optimum scenario reflects the distribution of peak rainfall events represented in both the calibration and validation periods. The year 2000, being extremely dry, negatively impacted both the calibration and validation results. Each water budget component of the model gave reasonable output, which reveals that this model can be used for the assessment of tile drainage with its associated practices. Water yield results were significantly different for the simulations with and without the tile flow component (25.1% and 16.9%, expressed as a percent of precipitation). The results suggest that the SWAT2005 version modified for tile drainage is a promising tool to evaluate streamflow in tile-drained regions when the calibration period contains streamflows representing a wide range of rainfall events.
209 citations