Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Significance: Glyphosate, an herbicide, and its breakdown product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) enter
waterways via run-off and are more mobile and persistent in aquatic environments [1]. In addition, glyphosate
has been classified as a probable carcinogenic by the World Health Organization [3, 4] and AMPA potentially
leads to cancer as well [5, 6]. Concern about impacts to the environment and human health continues to grow
and application rates increase with production of glyphosate-resistant crops for more efficient weed control in
agriculture, globally [4]. In 2012, approximately 127,000 tons of glyphosate were applied in the United States,
and 700,000 tons were applied worldwide [7]. Trace levels of glyphosate have been found in the urine of 60-80%
of the sample population of 114 people in the United States [8]. The rapid growth of glyphosate use has certainly
increased exposure for those that use the herbicide and for
individuals that do not come into direct contact with the
herbicide. For example, people who live in karst regions
may be more at risk to exposures of glyphosate and AMPA
through contamination of water sources. Karst landscapes
are areas where limestone is eroded, producing fissures
and sinkholes where water is quickly directed and
concentrated in subsurface conduits (Figure 1). Output
concentrations of glyphosate in groundwater in Kentucky
correlate to inputs in agricultural systems with a karst
landscape [9]. Agricultural and residential run-off in karst
water may lead to higher exposure rates for humans
residing in the surrounding regions. With growing water and
food production demands, and rapidly increasing
application rates of glyphosate, it is imperative to
investigate and understand glyphosate in karst regions.
Vision: For this proposal, we intend to collect water
samples from the Cane Run and Royal Springs
Watershed and Camden Creek Watershed to provide data to estimate glyphosate transport in water
resources, based on applications rates, and estimate environmental and health impacts. This work will
provide preliminary data for submitting a proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture-
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-AFRI). Results from this work will inform steps to be taken
in advancing the water quality and health of the state and can serve as a benchmark of innovation for modeling
pesticide transport in water resources for the Appalachian Region.
Prior work in this research area consisted of collaborating with University of Belize along with the Belize
Department of Environment and Ministry of Health collecting water samples from The New River and Belize
River Watersheds; both of these watersheds are in karst systems. We are in the process of modeling the fate
and transport on a watershed scale using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Preliminary results from
this work show that simulated concentrations of nitrates, which is used as an indicator of pesticides present,
were much lower than observed concentrations. We recently received access to historical data from our
collaborators and to equipment to detect glyphosate. This will assist in further calibration of the model and tests
for robustness.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 2/1/20 → 3/31/20 |
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