Behavior of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in soils and water of reservoir Radeburg II catchment (Saxony/Germany)

The behavior of the herbicide glyphosate and its main metabolite aminomethy lphosphonic acid (AMPA) was investigated in soils and water in a well-defin ed catchment of the reservoir Radeburg II near Dresden (Saxony/Germany). Th e half-life of glyphosate in soil ranged from 11 to 17 days. Glyphosate and AMPA completely disappeared from soil after about 5 months following appli cation of the products "Roundup Ultra" and "Touchdown". The aquatic system in the test areas (surface water, soil solution, and groundwater) was not s ignificantly affected by direct application of the compound. In general, th ere was a clear indication of strong sorption of the two substances by soil particles. Settlement areas were recognized as possible sources of glyphos ate and AMPA intake in aquatic systems.