Ultrafiltration for removal of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in drinking water

ABSTRACT

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide used to control weeds in agricultural and urban environments. It is found in water sources associated with its main metabolite, the aminomethylphosphonic acid, and it must be removed in the public water treatment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the direct ultrafiltration in the removal of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in fortified surface water at concentrations of 630, 800, and 1,250 μg L^-1 and pH variation between 4 and 10. For glyphosate, the increase in pH, concentration, and the presence of natural organic matter contributed to the rejection rate. The herbicide mass adsorbed was 1.2 μg cm^-2, being adsorption onto the membrane surface/pores the main mechanism of herbicides retention. The UF process was not effective for removal of aminomethylphosphonic acid. For glyphosate concentration of 630 μg L^-1, pH of 6.1-7.2, the UF was effective to produce the permeated in concentration of less than 500 μg L^-1, as recommended by the Brazilian Drinking Water Legislation of the Ministry of Health, Portaria Gabinete do Ministro/Ministério da Saúde nº 888, publicada em 7 de maio de 2021.

Keywords:
ultrafiltration; glyphosate; aminomethylphosphonic acid; herbicide; drinking water treatment