Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The substance glyphosate is widely used in herbicide preparations around the world. The fate of pesticide residues in water and their effect on non-target organisms are of considerable public concern. There is a fear about the potential long-term toxicity of herbicides to man and to aquatic organisms.
There are no formal limits for pesticide concentrations in surface water today. EU, who regulates drinking water in Europe, recommends that the level of 0.1 µgll for individual pesticide shall not be exceeded, a regulation that has been adopted by the Swedish National Food Administration.
The herbicide Roundup with its active substance glyphosate is widely used by farmers in Sweden. Of the total usage of pesticides in Sweden, 30% are pesticides with glyphosate. A rapid annual increase of the glyphosate sale started in 1995. The causes of increased usage of glyphosate are complex.
The aim of this study was to find out if there were any traceable concentrations of glyphosate in surface water from the Uppsala area, in connection with rain events following application in the summer of 2000. This study will hopefully give a hint to the present situation regarding the occurrence of glyphosate residues in surface water in Uppsala.
The sampling of water and soil were made at intervals between the end of June and the end of August. Three different sites were chosen for the study. One at Storvad, River Fyris, the other site is at the Fyris River in Storvreta, at storm water pipe outflows. The third site is the brook Libroback. Soil samples were also taken from a field beside Libroback.
The limit of detection in this study was 0.1 µgll for AMPA and varied from 0.03- 0.05 µ/1 for glyphosate. Sample concentration of glyphosate varied between traces of the substance up to 0.12 µgll. No sample showed concentrations above the detection limit for AMP A.
The concentration of glyphosate and AMPA in soil samples varied between 0.01 µgig and 1.22 µgig for glyphosate, and 0.05 µgig and 0.2 µgig for AMPA.