The prevalent utilization of glyphosate-based herbicides in modern landscaping and agricultural practices necessitates a methodical exploration into the monitoring, forecasting,
and assessment of glyphosate's ubiquity and its consequential impacts. The goal of this
research was to develop tools for better understanding of the fate, transport, and public
health implications of glyphosate, glufosinate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in
environmental matrices. The work resulted in the development of robust analytical
detection tools for the monitoring of glyphosate-based herbicides in tap, surface, and
groundwater sources. Developed method overcame analytic limitations by utilizing 9
fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) pre-column derivatization and solid phase
extraction (SPE) via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to
achieve detection limits lower than World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The
spatiotemporal transport and distribution of the target compounds and the vulnerability of
various watersheds were investigated via remote sensing (RS) and groundwater
interconnectivity models. The trends identified showed varying levels of watershed pesticide vulnerability across the study areas in Kentucky, USA, and Belize, indicating shifts
in sensitivity of the model to environmental and public health influences, with emphasis on
karst and alluvial geological settings as higher-risk areas, underscoring the importance of
adopting responsible pesticide application methods for achieving sustainable agricultural
practices and water source protection. Results from the prediction models and experimental
field monitoring data were analyzed and correlated with socio-economic and environmental
justice factors to establish a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between
agricultural practices, environmental impact, and societal equity. The study reveals a
significant portion of groundwater vulnerability to glyphosate contamination is
concentrated in densely populated regions due to reliance on aquifer reserves for drinking
water. There also exist a disproportionate impact on low-income and Black, Indigenous, and
People of Color (BIPOC) communities highlighting the need for equitable planning and
sustainable development practices to address environmental disparities and ensure
community well-being.