Abstract
Glyphosate in surface waters of southern Ontario (Canada) was studied over a 2-year period. A small percentage of samples exhibited glyphosate concentrations greater than the analytical limit of quantitation (17 μg a.e./L), and the maximum concentration of glyphosate measured was 40.8 μg/L. No samples of roughly 500 analyzed exceeded the Canadian Water Quality Guideline of 65 μg a.e./L considered protective of aquatic life. Typical concentrations of glyphosate in amphibian habitats were well below a range of toxicity thresholds for aquatic organisms, and were thus judged to be unlikely to pose a substantial risk to either sensitive amphibian larvae or other aquatic biota.
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The authors acknowledge the assistance of John Kraft and other Environment Canada staff for sample collection, and Environment Canada’s Pesticide Science Fund for financial support.
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Struger, J., Thompson, D., Staznik, B. et al. Occurrence of Glyphosate in Surface Waters of Southern Ontario. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 80, 378–384 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9373-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9373-1