Glyphosate is a transformation product of a widely used aminopolyphosphonate complexing agent

• Anna M. Röhnelt, 
• Philipp R. Martin, 
• Mathis Athmer, 
• Sarah Bieger, 
• Daniel Buchner, 
• Uwe Karst, 
• Carolin Huhn, 
• Torsten C. Schmidt & 
• Stefan B. Haderlein 

Abstract

Diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonate) (DTPMP) and related aminopolyphosphonates (APPs) are widely used as chelating agents in household and industrial applications. Recent studies have linked APP emissions to elevated levels of the herbicide glyphosate in European surface waters. However, the transformation processes and products of APPs in the environment are largely unknown. We show that glyphosate is formed from DTPMP by reaction with manganese at near neutral pH in pure water and in wastewater. Dissolved Mn²⁺ and O₂ or suspended MnO₂ lead to the formation of glyphosate, which remains stable after complete DTPMP conversion. Glyphosate yields vary with the reaction conditions and reach up to 0.42?mol%. The ubiquitous presence of manganese in natural waters and wastewater systems underscores the potential importance of Mn-driven DTPMP transformation as a previously overlooked source of glyphosate in aquatic systems. These findings challenge the current paradigm of herbicide application as the sole source of glyphosate contamination and necessitate a reevaluation of water resource protection strategies.

Nature Communications volume 16, Article number: 2438 (2025) 

• Article
• Open access
• Published: 11 March 2025