Abstract
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. However, there are some uncertain aspects with respect to its environmental fate. To evaluate the existence and distribution of this pesticide and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), their presence in fresh water, sediment, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) was measured in samples collected in a river running across a large city and through areas with intensive and extensive agriculture. The aquatic risk associated to the occurrence of these compounds was estimated using the hazard quotient (HQ) calculation for water and sediment. From the analyzed samples, overall 35% contained glyphosate, AMPA, or both compounds. Concentrations of the analytes were spread in different percentages depending on the environmental matrices considered, with levels ranging from 12 to 20 times higher for glyphosate and AMPA in sediment and SPM, as compared with the levels found in water. The most polluted area was situated within a green belt zone of the city; while in second place were sites located in areas of extensive agriculture. Aquatic organisms inhabiting areas both inside and outside agricultural areas are threatened by water glyphosate concentrations. Benthic organisms inside the greenbelt zone and inside the lower basin are threatened by the concentrations of glyphosate in sediment. Even when the concentrations measured in water were below the levels of concern for wildlife, results showed the risk of agricultural practices to aquatic biota. An update of the limits established for freshwater biota protection is needed.
Highlights
In South America, the extensive production of cereals and oilseeds for the international market coexists with intensive horticulture and family farming, involving wide geographical distribution, and a broad variety of cultivated species
On account of the actual situation of pollution in Argentina, as well as in other South. We considered it relevant to include other areas with intensive and extensive agricultural models where glyphosate use is widespread, and use an approach that evaluates risk assessment by the calculation of a hazard quotient (HQ) taking into account the ratio between the measured environmental concentrations (MECs) and the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) to reduce some uncertainties as regards the probability of risk to aquatic biota [24]
Despite the high solubility of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in water, our results show a high affinity of these compounds for suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment in contrast to water (12 and 20 times higher, respectively) [39]
Summary
In South America, the extensive production of cereals and oilseeds for the international market coexists with intensive horticulture and family farming, involving wide geographical distribution (mainly close to urban centers), and a broad variety of cultivated species. Intensive crops such as fruits and vegetables are characterized by high labor demand per unit of output This is a small-scale activity performed by peasant family production units, with all their members participating [3,4]. There is a heavy burden of pesticides in two scenarios: in extensive crops, due to the extensive areas sprayed, and in horticultural crops, due to the process of spraying throughout the year. This implies significant environmental pollution, with approximately 47% of the product deposited in adjacent soils and waters or dispersed in the atmosphere [5]
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