Analysis of suspended solids and Glyphosate and efficacy of the cross-compliance Standard 5.2 ‘buffer strips’ in the protection of superficial water from suspended solids in runoff conveyed through a vineyard

Several studies have described the effectiveness of vegetated buffer strips, interposed between the cultivated areas and water bodies, in removal of suspended solids and other pollutants such as Glyphosate conveyed through surface runoff. This monitoring study has quantified the effects of a 5-metre wide herbaceous buffer zone, adjacent to a vineyard, built according to the Standard 5.2 of Cross-compliance (M.D. 27417). The amount of runoff generated was 3.9% of the total annual rainfall, with negligible differences in terms of volume after flowing through the buffer zone. The effectiveness of the buffer zone in suspended solids removal was, in terms of mass balance, of 45.5%. The glyphosate outputs from the vineyard, unlike in other experiences, were negligible and therefore it was not possible to evaluate the efficiency of the buffer zone in removing it. This is due to the low rainfall occurred in the period following distribution that has favoured in situ degradation of Glyphosate.