Atmospheric dynamics of glyphosate and AMPA in agricultural areas

Glyphosate after spraying: How long does it stay in the air?

Glyphosate is usually discussed in terms of soil and water contamination — but what happens after it’s applied to a field and the wind starts to blow? Can it travel through the air by attaching itself to dust particles, and if so, for how long and how far?

A SOILPROM field study from an agricultural area in the Netherlands takes a close look at exactly this question. By tracking airborne soil particles for eight weeks after glyphosate application, the researchers measured how glyphosate and its main degradation product (AMPA) move through the atmosphere over time and at different heights above the ground.

Their findings challenge the common assumption that glyphosate remains primarily bound to the soil.

The measurements show that pesticide residues can attach themselves to fine airborne particles, remain detectable for weeks after application, and decrease systematically with height above the field. The finest particles, which remain suspended the longest and are the easiest to inhale, had the highest concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA.

The study also examined the amount of this material transported in suspension, the behavior of vertical and horizontal transport patterns after spraying, and what this could mean for long-distance transport and potential inhalation exposure in agricultural areas.

Rather than relying on speculation or laboratory simulations, this work is based on actual measurements taken in the field over time, providing a rare atmospheric perspective on a widely used herbicide.

If you are interested in the fate of pesticides, airborne transport, or environmental exposure pathways, this publication provides detailed data and a new perspective on the behavior of glyphosate after spraying.

To read the full publication check out our publication section or follow the link: https://link.springer.com/article/