Lysimeter studies on the leaching of herbicides from railway tracks
In Switzerland, glyphosate based herbicides are used for weed control on railway tracks. Railway companies currently look for non-chemical alternatives such as use of hot water or targeted greening with slowly growing plant mixtures. However, a complete substitution of chemical weed control may be challenging.
Minimal risk of groundwater pollution is an important criterium when evaluating alternative herbicides. In this project, possible leaching of herbicides and their metabolites is investigated in lysimeters, filled with soil material from railway tracks.
Financing: Federal Office of Transport and Swiss Union of Public Transport (SBB, BLS, and SOB railways)
