Influence of railways on the occurrence of glyphosate in surface waters

Glyphosate is used for chemical weed control on railway tracks. As a result of these applications the pesticide can be transported to the drainage water and may end up in surface waters. To assess the occurrence of glyphosate in the drainage water of railroads, samples from 47 different sites in Switzerland were analyzed.

In a further project the dynamics of glyphosate in the drainage water and in the receiving waters will be measured at selected sites. Additional substances that may be relevant for water pollution are investigated by BMG engineering LTD.

Railways are only one possible source of glyphosate. In an additional project (Sources and pathways of glyphosate in surface waters), we investigate the importance of agricultural and urban sources.

Gravity classification yard near Zurich

Project partner

• Swiss Federal Railways SFR
• Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
• BMG engineering LTD
  

Publications

Hanke, I., Singer, H., Bohnenblust, S., Stamm, C., Müller, A. “Herbicides in drainage water of railroads”, gwa, 2009, 7.

Hanke, I., Singer, H. “Glyphosate herbicides in surface waters”, annual report, Eawag, 2006. [pdf]