The occurrence of herbicide residues such as glyphosate [(N-phosphonomethyl)glycine] and triazines (atrazine) in the streams and rivers has received considerable attention in recent years as these contaminants have been implicated to exhibit negative effects on non-target organisms including humans. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of glyphosate and triazines in the agricultural storm drainage, creeks and Clarks River, Kentucky. Water samples were collected to study transport of glyphosate and atrazine from farms to adjacent creeks. The samples were extracted using KH2PO4 buffer/1M NaOH and the extracts were subjected to ELISA assay. Results revealed that detectable concentrations of glyphosate and triazines were found in water samples. Triazine concentrations in water samples ranged from 30 ng/L to 510 ng/L. Surface soils collected a day after glyphosate application showed the highest concentrations (170 ng/g dry wt. and 208 ng/g dry wt.) in the farms C and D respectively. The glyphosate concentrations in surface soils decreased with time. The present study provides evidence that glyphosate and atrazine application in agricultural farms contribute to contamination of water and soil.

Occurrence of glyphosate and triazine residues in drainage and river waters from western Kentucky, USA

254th National Meeting (2017)

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