The findings of this research are published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). "About one quarter of the world's population obtains water from karst aquifers, which are especially vulnerable to contamination due to their functioning. The risks of fertilizersThe researchers considered the degradable pesticide named glyphosate, a widely used agricultural herbicide, as an example to demonstrate their findings. The simulations performed show that rapid transport of glyphosate to the groundwater may cause this pesticide to exceed by 19 times the maximum values permitted by law. "The highest risk of groundwater contamination occurs in regions where agriculture depends on degradable fertilizers and pesticides", they assure.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 09, 2021 15:00 UTC