Photodegradation of glyphosate in water and stimulation of by-products on algae growth

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in global agricultural cultivation. However, little is known about the environmental risks associated with its migration and transformation. We conducted light irradiation experiments to study the dynamics and mechanism of photodegradation of glyphosate in ditches, ponds and lakes, and evaluated the effect of glyphosate photodegradation on algae growth through algae culture experiments. Our results showed that glyphosate in ditches, ponds and lakes could undergo photochemical degradation under sunlight irradiation with the production of phosphate, and the photodegradation rate of glyphosate in ditches could reach 86% after 96 h under sunlight irradiation. Hydroxyl radicals (& BULL;OH) was the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) for glyphosate photodegradation, and its steady-state concentrations in ditches, ponds and lakes were 6.22 x 10-17, 4.73 x 10-17, and 4.90 x 10-17 M. The fluorescence emission-excitation matrix (EEM) and other technologies further indicated that the humus components in dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrite were the main photosensitive substances producing & BULL;OH. In addition, the phosphate generated by glyphosate photodegradation could greatly promote the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa, thereby increasing the risk of eutrophication. Thus, glyphosate should be scientifically and reasonably applied to avoid environmental risks.

Automated summary

This study investigated the photodegradation dynamics and mechanism of glyphosate in ditches, ponds, and lakes through light irradiation experiments. It was found that glyphosate can undergo photochemical degradation under sunlight, leading to the production of phosphate. The main reactive oxygen species for glyphosate photodegradation was hydroxyl radical. The generated phosphate from glyphosate photodegradation can greatly enhance the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa, increasing the risk of eutrophication. Therefore, the scientific and reasonable application of glyphosate is necessary to avoid environmental risks.