Most of the glyphosate found in European rivers does not come from farming, but rather from additives in detergents. A team of researchers at the University of Tübingen analyzed data from European and US water protection authorities to find that the main source of glyphosate is likely wastewater from sewage treatment plants.
Until now, it was thought that the use of glyphosate as a herbicide in agriculture was the main reason for its presence in bodies of water. However, despite reduction measures, the amount of glyphosate in European rivers has not decreased.
The researchers found that certain aminopolyphosphonates used in laundry detergents are converted to glyphosate in the sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plants. This means that household activities may be contributing to glyphosate pollution in rivers.
The study analyzed data from over 100 locations in Europe and the US, including measurements dating back to 1997. The researchers found that the concentration of glyphosate in European rivers shows a strong seasonal pattern, with high concentrations in summer and low concentrations in winter.
However, this pattern is not what would be expected if agriculture was the main source of glyphosate pollution. Instead, it resembles patterns seen in substances entering surface waters from wastewater treatment plants.
The study’s findings suggest that reducing herbicide use will not significantly reduce glyphosate pollution in European rivers. Instead, authorities must discuss how to continue monitoring surface water and possibly regulate aminopolyphosphonates or improve elimination rates in wastewater treatment.
In contrast, the situation in the US is different, with concentration patterns of glyphosate in river water closely following those of other herbicides, indicating a dominant agricultural input.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-07-glyphosate-european-rivers-farming.html