Glyphosate Removal Research Articles

Activated carbon loaded with manganese and iron for glyphosate adsorption: Kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic studies

Granular activated carbon was loaded with 0.5% manganese and 1.0% iron (m/m) for glyphosate removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dispersive energy spectrometry, nitrogen adsorption techniques and zeta potential analyses. Batch studies were performed to investigate the adsorption equilibrium, kinetics mechanisms and to obtain thermodynamic information. Glyphosate adsorption increased with the contact time and achieved equilibrium within 24 h, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 9.19 mg g-1 at 45°C. Batch kinetic experimental data obeyed the pseudo-second-order model with R2>0.99. Adsorption isotherm experiments were carried out at 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45°C. The adsorption isotherms presented a better fitting using the Freundlich model (R2>0.98), indicating a multilayer adsorption of glyphosate. Thermodynamics studies showed that the adsorption of glyphosate onto granular activated carbon loaded with manganese and iron was spontaneous and feasible with negative values of ΔG°, endothermic with ΔH° of 20.924 kJ mol-1 and ΔS° of -73.250 J mol-1 K-1, suggesting a decrease in randomness at the solid–liquid interface between glyphosate and the adsorbent. The experimental results demonstrated that activated carbon loaded with manganese and iron may be an alternative for glyphosate removal in water, wastewater treatment and purification processes.

Efficient removal of a glyphosate-based herbicide from water using ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs)

Though there may not be consensus regarding the toxicity of glyphosate, given the strong interest in its removal from water sources nanotechnology was used in this work to that end. Nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized in a controlled manner by chemical route. The ZnO powders were then characterized by infrared and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. To evaluate the capacity for removal, aqueous solutions of the Monsanto herbicide Roundup 747 SG containing 679 g/kg of glyphosate were adjusted to obtain glyphosate-ZnO-NP suspensions of 250 ppm–250 ppm, 700 ppm–700 ppm, 1000 ppm–1000 ppm, 1000 ppm–250 ppm and 1000 ppm–700 ppm and these were used to carry out the tests. The % Removal curves obtained indicate that the ZnO-NPs removed between ~70% and 90% of the herbicide in the system. While the UV–Vis absorption spectra showed small displacements of the absorption maximum and the appearance of other small bands, indicating herbicide degradation, adsorption proved to be the most important removal mechanism. The kinetics of the process was suitably described by a pseudo second order equation, although it is not possible to rule out, for some glyphosate-ZnO-NP concentration ratios, the importance of intraparticle diffusion. These results indicate that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were efficient in the removal of glyphosate in aqueous solutions at the laboratory level.

Glyphosate adsorption by Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark-mediated char and optimization through response surface modeling

In this study, orthophosphoric acid-modified activated char was prepared from Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark (EBAC), and used for removing traces of [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] (glyphosate) herbicide from aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity was characterized by zero-point-charge pH, surface analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Batch mode experiments were conducted to observe the effects of selected variables, namely dose, contact time, pH, temperature, and initial concentration, on adsorption capacity. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models were generated to describe the mechanisms involved in the multilayer adsorption process. The results show that high temperature enhanced the adsorption capacity of EBAC, with a temperature of 373 K yielding adsorption capacity (qmax) and Freundlich parameter (KF) of 66.76 mg g−1 and 9.64 (mg g−1) (L mg−1)−n, respectively. The thermodynamics study revealed entropy and enthalpy of −5281.3 J mol−1 and −20.416 J mol−1, respectively. Finally, glyphosate adsorption was optimized by the Box–Behnken model, and optimal conditions were recorded as initial concentration of 20.28 mg L−1, pH 10.18, adsorbent dose of 199.92 mg/50 mL, temperature of 303.23 K, and contact time of 78.42 min, with removal efficiency of 98%. Therefore, it can be suggested that EBAC could be used as an efficient, low-cost adsorbent for removal of glyphosate from aqueous solutions.

Investigation of COD Removal for the Glyphosate Herbicide from Aqueous Solution by Electrocoagulation Process

This study investigated the glyphosate adsorption by water treatment residual using the method of indirect Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in aqueous solution using the electrocoagulation process. The optimum glyphosate removal was obtained with typical operating conditions: initial pH of 5.8, initial herbicide concentration of 100 mg/L, current density 25 mA/cm2, type of electrolyte, and salt concentration of 1 g/L and temperature of 20oC. The results showed that the COD of glyphosate removal were 89.8% by using iron (Fe) electrodes at 40 min, 89.8% by using stainless steel S-S at 60 min, while were 84.8 % by using aluminum Al electrodes at the 80 min. It was found that the data fitted to Freundlich (R2 = 0.964) model. In glyphosate the electrocoagulation process can be described by a pseudo first order with rate constant (0.0059, 0.0052 and 0.005 min- 1) by using Fe, S-S and Al electrodes respectively. The consumption of electrical energy for glyphosate at optimum conditions as follows: (9.999, 13.9 and 19.0619 KWh/m3) using Fe, S-S and Al electrodes respectively. Keywords: Electrocoagulation; Electrodes; Herbicide; Glyphosate; Adsorption; Kinetics

FTIR, CHNS and XRD analyses define mechanism of glyphosate herbicide removal by electrocoagulation

In this study, the performance of glyphosate removal in an electrocoagulation batch with two electrodes formed by the same metal type, consisting of aluminum, iron, steel and copper have been compared. The aim of this study intends to remove glyphosate from an aqueous solution by an electrocoagulation process using metal electrode plates, which involves electrogeneration of metal cations as coagulant agents. The production of metal cations showed an ability to bind together to form aggregates of flocs composed of a combination of glyphosate and metal oxide. Electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes indicated a high percentage removal of glyphosate, 94.25%; followed by iron electrodes, 88.37%; steel electrodes, 62.82%; and copper electrodes, 46.69%. The treated aqueous solution was then analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Percentages of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulfur remaining in the treated aqueous solution after the electrocoagulation process have been determined. The treated water and sludge were characterized and the mechanism of the overall process was concluded as an outcome. An X-Ray Diffraction analysis of dried sludge confirmed that new polymeric compounds were formed during the treatment. The sludge composed of new compounds were also verified the removals. This study revealed that an electrocoagulation process using metal electrodes is reliable and efficient.

Statistical optimization of glyphosate adsorption by biochar and activated carbon with response surface methodology

The introduction of glyphosate, found in herbicides, to waterbodies is of concern due to its toxicity and hence potential threat to public health and ecological systems. The present study has compared glyphosate removal from aqueous solution with activated carbon and biochar. Box–Behnken design, and percent contribution with Pareto analysis techniques were used in surface response and efficiency calculations modelled the process conditions and their effects. The adsorption data better fitted the Freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir model. The rate of glyphosate adsorption was found to follow a pseudo-second-order model. pH of the solutions was regulated by buffering during the adsorption process. Higher efficacy of glyphosate removal was obtained by optimising parameters such as operating pH, initial glyphosate concentration, temperature, adsorbent dose, and contact time. The conditions yielding the best removals were pH 8.0, 0.2 mg/L, 50.0 °C, 11.4 g/L, 1.7 h for activated carbon and pH 5.0, 0.7 mg/L, 50.0 °C, 12.3 g/L, 1.9 h for biochar, for the aforementioned parameters respectively. The maximum removal capacity and efficiency were 0.0173 mg/g and 98.45% for activated carbon, and 0.0569 mg/g and 100.00% for biochar. The test results indicated biochar could be important from the perspective of performance and affordability.

Glyphosate in vitro removal and tolerance by Aspergillus oryzae in soil microcosms

Argentinian agriculture is based on a technological package that includes the application of significant amounts of pesticides. Glyphosate is the active ingredient of several glyphosate herbicides which are frequently used for weed control. Fungi can use glyphosate both as a nutrient and an energetic source. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro glyphosate removal as the only source of phosphorus or nitrogen by two non-toxigenic Aspergillus oryzae strains. A. oryzae AM1 and AM2 were successfully able to use the herbicide both as phosphorus or nitrogen source. The degradation percentages were higher than 50% at the end of the incubation period (15 days) with glyphosate concentrations of 1 and 1.5 mM. In addition, AM1 strain was able to remove 57% of 10 mM of glyphosate at 0.99 of aW. Soil microcosm assay was performed in order to study the GP tolerance, permanence and competitiveness of A. oryzae AM1 in the presence of native mycota. A. oryzae count remained constant along the incubation period and was not significantly affected by the different glyphosate concentrations tested (10, 20 and 50 mM). This strain showed great in vitro removal ability, and it was also able to remain viable on soil microcosms contaminated with glyphosate. Therefore, these results encourage future studies in order to evaluate the ability of these strains to degrade glyphosate on soil and then promote them as potential bioremediation agents.

Fate, eco-toxicological characteristics, and treatment processes applied to water polluted with glyphosate: A critical review

Glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient of Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBHs), and which has environmental mobility towards water by its physicochemical characteristics. These properties determine its low availability in living organisms (log Kow < 0), which is increased by the presence of co-adjuvant activators in GBHs and its biodegradation (metabolites). Eco-toxicological studies have determined that glyphosate affects to several aquatic trophic-levels (freshwater/marine environments), being more toxics GBHs. Therefore, its potential environmental risk has promoted the development of conventional (biological and physicochemical) and non-conventional (Advanced-Oxidation-Processes or AOPs, combined processes) treatment strategies. Biological processes will generate incomplete degradation (metabolites generation), and variable removal efficiencies (25–99%). Physicochemical processes will be efficient (approx. 90%) but transferring the glyphosate from water to the adsorbent material (dangerous waste generation). Currently, AOPs will arise as a rapid (minutes) and effective alternative for glyphosate removal (>90%), depending on operational conditions, and without generation of intermediate metabolites. Moreover, new strategies (electrochemical) will avoid the hazardous waste production. Other combined processes (biological + physicochemical) will also reach glyphosate efficiencies removal above 90% but needing large spaces. However, their physical characteristics would make them feasible to be applied in agricultural areas.

In situ synthesis of potassium tungstophosphate supported on BEA zeolite and perspective application for pesticide removal

Potassium tungstophosphate is supported on BEA zeolite by in situ synthesis for glyphosate removal. Spectroscopic measurements identified hydrogen bonding as a primal interaction of potassium salt and BEA zeolite. Composites are evaluated for glyphosate herbicide removal and adsorption process is analyzed using two isotherm models. Obtained adsorption capacities for all prepared composites lay between 45.2 and 92.2 mg of glyphosate per gram of investigated composite. Suspension acidity revealed that glyphosate is adsorbed mainly in the zwitter-ion form at the composite surface while the amount of potassium salt in the composites is crucial for the adsorption application. Exceptional adsorption behavior is postulated to come from a high degree of homogeneity among surface active sites which is confirmed by different experimental methods. Temperature programmed desorption of glyphosate coupled with mass spectrometer detected one broad, high-temperature peak which represents overlapped desorption processes from active sights of similar strength. Introduction of potassium tungstophosphate affects active sites present in BEA zeolite for glyphosate desorption and significantly increases the amount of adsorbed pesticide in comparison to BEA zeolite. Supporting of potassium tungstophosphate on BEA zeolite via in situ synthesis procedure enables the formation of highly efficient adsorbents and revealed their perspective environmental application.

Synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide functionalized with MnFe2O4 and supported on activated carbon for glyphosate adsorption in fixed bed column

Glyphosate removal from contaminated water using a new adsorbent material was investigated. Graphene-MnFe2O4 nanocomposite supported on vegetal activated carbon (GO-MnFe2O4/VAC) was synthesized. Several characterization techniques such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, N2 physisorption, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to have insights to this material. Furthermore, the point of zero charge was determined. GO-MnFe2O4/VAC material was evaluated for glyphosate adsorptive removal in fixed-bed column under different operating conditions of solution concentration and feed flow rate. The results pointed out that glyphosate adsorption using GO-MnFe2O4/VAC was favored at pH values between 2.29 and 6.14. In fixed-bed column, the best results were obtained for the solutions having higher concentrations and also for higher feed flow rates. The equilibrium experimental data were fairly described by Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity reaching 6.778 mg g−1. Among the mathematical models evaluated to describe the breakthrough curves, the best fit to the experimental data was obtained by model that considers the intraparticle diffusion and the internal diffusion step was considered to be the mass transfer limiting step. The present results indicated that the adsorbent material synthesized has a great capacity for adsorption and prove the potential of use of GO- MnFe2O4/VAC for glyphosate removal from contaminated water in the continuous mode of operation.

Synthesis of dendrimer functionalized adsorbents for rapid removal of glyphosate from aqueous solution

Protonated PAMAM grafted adsorbents for rapid removal of glyphosate.

Utilization of multi-metal laden spent biosorbent for removal of glyphosate herbicide from aqueous solution and its mechanism elucidation

Extensive uses of glyphosate herbicide pose the environmental concerns of surface and ground water contaminations through leaching. The present investigation is based on potential reuse of multi-metal laden spent biosorbent for glyphosate removal. Our previous study showed effective removal of Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions in multi-metal system using waste activated sludge from tannery industry as biosorbent. Glyphosate biosorption efficiency of the waste tannery sludge was enhanced from 26.18% to >92% after increase in the multi-metal loading on the sludge. Feasibility study for actual wastewater treatment showed about 91.7% removal of glyphosate in the simulated agricultural runoff. The glyphosate biosorption exhibited gradual removal process. The rapid 70–75% biosorption was attained in first 2 h of contact time and the final removal of 89–94% was achieved within 24–28 h of contact time. Equilibrium isotherm and kinetics data were obtained by adsorption experiments. Biosorbent characterization and removal mechanism were established. The formation of glyphosate-metal complexation was confirmed by the FTIR, XPS, XRD, XRF, FESEM-EDAX and elemental mapping results. Surface bound multi-metals of the biosorbent could predominantly form mononuclear, bi-, tri- or tetra-dentate complexes through phosphonate group of glyphosate molecule. Weak binding of glyphosate molecule with the carboxyl and amino groups also occurred. The glyphosate loaded biosorbent were successfully inertized up to 10 wt% in phosphate glass matrix as confirmed by XRD for safe disposal of the toxic sludge in the environment.

Comparative study of low-index {1 0 1}-TiO2, {0 0 1}-TiO2, {1 0 0}-TiO2 and high-index {2 0 1}-TiO2 on glyphosate adsorption and photo-degradation

TiO2 has attracted widespread concern about its photo-catalysis in regard to water contaminant removal. However, TiO2 with different exposed facets shows considerable variation in adsorption and photo-catalysis performance. This study aims at comparatively investigating the adsorption and photo-catalysis performance of low-index {1 0 1}-TiO2, {0 0 1}-TiO2, {1 0 0}-TiO2 and high-index {2 0 1}-TiO2. The results showed that, compared to low-index TiO2, {2 0 1}-TiO2 exhibited a higher effectiveness on glyphosate (PMG) removal. In detail, the highest Langmuir adsorption capacity was observed on {2 0 1}-TiO2 (0.88, molecules/nm2). Based on 2D-COS and ATR-FTIR analysis, it is proved that the transformation sequence of each PMG functional group adsorbed on TiO2 followed different order. In addition, PMG photo-degradation on {2 0 1}-TiO2 had a higher apparent pseudo-first-order reaction constant (kapp = 3.0h−1) than other three TiO2. This is mainly attributed to a higher generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a larger electron transfer and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate of {2 0 1}-TiO2, compared to other three TiO2, as investigated by ESR, photo-current and linear sweep voltammetry measurement, respectively. Furthermore, PMG photo-degradation on the four TiO2 was primarily due to OH. Thus, it can be reasonably inferred that the comparative investigation of high-index and low-index TiO2 can provide an integrated insight into similar adsorption and photo-catalysis behavior in the environment.

GLYPHOSATE AND TURBIDITY REMOVAL IN WATER CONDITIONS BY CLARIFICATION WITH TANFLOC

With the progress in the agriculture sector, improper domains of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides have grown, which have been negatively affected the environment until the present day. Therefore, the present work has as objective to evaluate the efficiency of the natural coagulant Tanfloc in the clarification stage with respect the herbicide glyphosate removal and the turbidity parameter by using jar test with different pH conditions and coagulant concentration. As a result, was obtained that for the pH range of 5-5.5 the natural coagulant has shown more efficient, with a glyphosate percentage removal of approximately 98.0% using low concentrations and turbidity removal of 21.69%. On the other hand, for the pH range of 6.8 to 7.3, the coagulant has not shown profitable results, considering that, for some concentrations, it was not possible to detect the herbicide removal. In the concentrations that were detected removal, the average glyphosate percentage removal was approximately 89% and an average of 20.24% of turbidity removal. In summary, although the natural coagulant has not shown remarkably efficient in the neutral pH range, the product may be considered an alternative device in water treatment with the respect of the use of metallic coagulants, which produce sludge with chemistry characteristics that may negatively affect the environment.

Water-Stable Nanoscale Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Effective Removal of Glyphosate from Aqueous Media.

Two water-stable zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (NU-1000 and UiO-67) have been synthesized in various size scales (100–2000 nm) for the adsorptive removal of glyphosate from the aqueous media. Both NU-1000 and UiO-67 possess a three-dimensional structure; NU-1000 consists of triangular micropores and wide mesoporous channels (31 Å), whereas UiO-67 has cage-like pores [octahedral (16 Å) and tetrahedral (14 Å) cages]. NU-1000 comprises Zr6(μ3-O)4(μ3-OH)4(H2O)4(OH)4, and UiO-67 contains Zr6O4(OH)4 as secondary building units. These units act as Lewis acid nodes and can interact with the Lewis base phosphate group of the glyphosate. The time taken for reaching equilibrium is found to be reduced considerably as the size of the MOF decreases. The smaller the particle size, the lesser is the diffusion barrier for the analyte, which enhances the interaction between Lewis acidic metal nodes and the Lewis basic center of the glyphosate molecule. NU-1000 was found to be better compared to UiO-67, both in terms of efficiency and reusability. This might be due to the larger pore diameters of the NU-1000. Theoretical calculations revealed that the interaction energy of glyphosate with the nodes of NU-1000 is higher (−37.63 KJ mol–1) compared to UiO-67 (−17.37 KJ mol–1), which might be the possible reason for the higher efficiency of NU-1000.

Comparative study of glyphosate removal on goethite and magnetite: Adsorption and photo-degradation

Glyphosate (PMG) has been demonstrated to be strongly adsorbed on iron oxides, but few studies have been made on the subsequent degradation process. As the mechanism and process of PMG degradation plays a crucial role on its existence in the environment, this study aims to investigate the comparative adsorption and photo-degradation of PMG on goethite and magnetite. The results show that the Langmuir adsorption capacity of goethite (7.9 mg/g) was higher than that of magnetite (6.7 mg/g) at pH = 7. Further clarifying of Zeta potential and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements revealed that PMG was absorbed through the coordination of phosphonate moiety. In contrast, PMG degradation due to the photo-catalysis effectiveness of magnetite (kapp = 1.2 h−1) was significantly higher than that of goethite (kapp = 0.4 h−1) at pH = 7. This phenomenon was primarily due to the greater release of the dissolved iron in magnetite which led to the promotion of reactive oxygen species generation in the magnetite/UV system. DFT results show that the formation of FeOP bonds in the presence of iron oxide would change the electron density distribution around the phosphorus center of PMG, and potentially made the CP bond more assailable to ROS. Furthermore, electron spin resonance results identified the existence of OH and O2−, and further tests by adding radical captures proved the domination of OH in degrading PMG. In addition, intermediate identification of PMG revealed that amino acid, carboxyl acid and other inorganic ions were the main products in the process of photo-degradation. Therefore, it is concluded that the comparative exploration of goethite and magnetite on PMG degradation provides an integrated insight into the similar fate of PMG heterogeneous photo-degradation in the environment.

STUDY OF SOME PARAMETERS RESPONSIBLE FOR GLYPHOSATE HERBICIDE MINERALIZATION BY ELECTRO - FENTON PROCESS

Glyphosate (C3H8NO3P) is a highly effective broad-spectrum, post-emergence, non- selective organophosphate herbicide and commonly applied in Viet Nam. The removal of glyphosate in aqueous solution has been investigated by electro - fenton process which is based on the continuous production of ●OH radicals by reaction between Fe2+ catalyst and H2O2 electrochemical generated on cathode. The carbon felt (60 cm2) and Pt gauze (45 cm2) were used as cathode and anode of the electro-fenton system, successively. Monitoring the total organic carbon (TOC) during the electrolysis proved that pH, current intensity, electrolysis time and catalyst concentration influenced the glyphosate mineralization efficiency. At the optimal conditions: [Fe2+] = 0.1 mM; pH = 3; [Na2SO4] = 0.05M ; I = 0.5A and the compressed air was bubbled through the solutions, the experiment results showed that 84.4 % Glyphosate was mineralized to CO2, H2O and inorganic acid after 50 min.

DEGRADATION OF GLYPHOSATE HERBICIDE BY AN ANODIC OXIDATION PROCESS

Glyphosate is occasionally detected as water contaminants in agriculture areas where the herbicide is used extensively. The removal of glyphosate in synthetic solution using advanced oxidation process (AOP) is a possible approach for remediation of contaminated waters. Here, the ability of anodic oxidation for the degradation and mineralisation of glyphosate herbicide was investigated using Ti/PbO2 anode in batch mode. The experimental results provided that the current intensity, treatment time, pH and initial concentration are the influent parameters on the glyphosate degradation. At the optimal condition, 16.9 mgL−1 of glyphosate decreased up to 0.6 mg L−1, i.e the removal efficiencies were 95 ± 16 %. This work demonstrates that electrochemical oxidation is a promising process for degradation and mineralization of glyphosate.

Mechanism of glyphosate removal by biochar supported nano-zero-valent iron in aqueous solutions

The widespread use of glyphosate and the resulting environmental residues pose a serious threat to both crops and human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the adsorption process and removal mechanism of glyphosate by modified biochar (BC). Nano-zero-valent iron (NZVI) was loaded on the palm BC through liquid-phase chemical reduction. The composite material ((BC-NZVI)) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing that it had a high specific surface area, rich oxygen-containing functional groups and complex ligands. Adsorption experiments were conducted with modified BC to study the effects of contact time (0–3750 min), initial concentration (5–40 mg/L), pH (2.00–7.00) and coexisting pollutants (0–20 mg/L). The adsorption data could be fitted well with the pseudo second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, indicating that the adsorption of glyphosate on the BC supported NZVI was a chemical and surface process. The maximum adsorption capacity was 80 mg/g at pH = 4, twice that of the original BC. At low concentrations, there was no influence on the adsorption of coexisting pollutants, sulfamethazine, cadmium ions, or phosphate; however, it had antagonistic effect (Rq < 1) when the initial concentration of H2PO4+ was higher than 10 mg/L. The adsorption mechanisms involved pore-filling, hydrogen-bond, electrostatic interactions and complexation. Such strong absorbability, along with being easy to obtain and inexpensive, makes (BC-NZVI) potentially suitable for the treatment of agricultural wastewater and acidic farmland soils contaminated with organic pollutants.

Modification of zeolite 4A for use as an adsorbent for glyphosate and as an antibacterial agent for water

The aim of this work was to design a low cost adsorbent for efficient and selective removal of glyphosate from water at neutral pH conditions. For this purpose, zeolite 4A, a locally abundant and cheap mineral material, was ion-exchanged with Cu2+ to produce Cu-zeolite 4A. The FTIR results revealed that the modification has no important effect on chemical structure of zeolite 4A. After modification, highly crystalline zeolite 4A was converted to amorphous Cu-zeolite 4A according to XRD studies. The SEM images showed spherical-like particles with porous surfaces for Cu-zeolite 4A compared to cubic particles with smooth surfaces for zeolite 4A. Adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted with non-linear forms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cu-zeolite 4A was calculated to be 112.7 mg g–1 based on the Langmuir model. The adsorption of glyphosate by the modified adsorbent had fast kinetics fitted both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. A mechanism based on chemical adsorption was proposed for the removal process. The modified adsorbent had a good selectivity to glyphosate over natural waters common cations and anions. It also showed desired regeneration ability as an important feature for practical uses. The potential use of the developed material as antibacterial agent for water disinfection filters was also investigated by MIC method. Relatively strong antibacterial activity was observed for Cu-zeolite 4A against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria while zeolite 4A had no antibacterial properties. No release of Cu2+ to aqueous solutions was detected as unique feature of the developed material.