Degradation and leaching potential of pesticides in biobed systems

Biobeds provide a potential solution to pesticide contamination of surface waters arising from the farmyard. Previous work has shown that biobeds can effectively treat spills and splashes of pesticide. This study investigated the potential for biobeds to treat much larger volumes and amounts of pesticide waste not only arising from spills but also from washing processes. Two systems were assessed using a range of pesticides at the semi-field scale, ie a lined biobed system and an unlined system. Studies using the lined biobeds demonstrated that water management was crucial, with biobeds needing to be covered to exclude rain-water. Once covered, the top of the biobed became hydrophobic, restricting moisture loss and resulting in saturated conditions at depth. The drying out of the top layer coincided with a measured decrease in microbial biomass in the treated biobeds. Applied pesticides were effectively retained within the 0-5 cm layer. Whilst all pesticides tested degraded, low moisture content and microbial activity meant degradation rates were low. Studies using unlined biobeds showed that only the most mobile pesticides leached, and for these > 99% was removed by the system, with a significant proportion degraded within 9 months. Peak concentrations of the two most mobile pesticides did however exceeded the limits that are likely to be required by regulatory bodies. However, it is thought that these limits could be reached by optimisation of the system.     

Efficiency of a bagasse substrate in a biological bed system for the degradation of glyphosate, malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin under tropical climate conditions

BACKGROUND: After the rinsing of spray equipment, the rinsing water contains polluting products. One way to avoid pollution is to bring the rinsing water over a purification system, a biological bed. The system consists of an impermeable tub filled with a biomix substrate that facilitates biodegradation of pesticides. Usually, straw is one component of the biomix. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of an unusual substrate, bagasse, a residue of sugar cane, for the degradation of three pesticides, glyphosate, malathion and lambda‐cyhalothrin. RESULTS: Results showed that more than 99% of malathion and glyphosate were degraded in 6 months. In the biological bed, the DT₅₀ value for malathion was 17 days, for glyphosate 33 days and for lambda‐cyhalothrin 43 days. The degradation rate of aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues from the degradation of glyphosate was slower than that of the other pesticides (DT₅₀ 69 days). Finally, the innocuousness of the biomix after 6 months of degradation was confirmed by biological tests. CONCLUSIONS: Although the degradation rates of the three pesticides in the present bagasse‐based system were similar to those under temperate conditions, the degradation conditions were improved by comparison with those in soil under the given tropical conditions. Further benefits of this system are pesticide confinement, to avoid their dispersion in the environment by liquids or solids, and a lower overall cost. Finally, possibilities for optimising the bagasse‐based system (e.g. management of the water content and nature of the biomix) are discussed. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ambient air concentrations of pesticides used in potato cultivation in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Ambient air concentrations of nine selected pesticides used in potato cultivation were investigated on Prince Edward Island by collecting samples during the summer of 1998 at three potato farm sites and one non-agricultural site. In 1999, air samples were collected at a single potato farm site during local application of pesticides. The fungicide chlorothalonil was the only pesticide detected in every sample in both years, even in samples with a duration as little as 5 h. In 1998, maximum (45-458 ng m(-3)) and mean (22-193 ng m(-3)) concentrations of chlorothalonil from composite 42 h samples were one to two orders of magnitude greater at agricultural sites than at the non-agricultural site (3.9 and 2.5 ng m(-3), respectively). Maximum and mean concentrations of chlorothalonil from combined 24 h samples at the farm site in 1999 were higher than those measured in 1998 (636 and 284 ng m(-3), respectively). The ubiquitous presence in air of relatively high concentrations of chlorothalonil in agricultural areas on Prince Edward Island is likely related to its repeated use on potato farms where fungicides account for 80-90% of pesticides applied. Eight of nine pesticides were detected at farm sites in 1998 and they are ranked by mean concentration from highest to lowest as follows: chlorothalonil, methamidophos, azinphos-methyl, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, pirimicarb, metobromuron, metribuzin, metalaxyl and fluazifop-P-butyl. Concentrations of metalaxyl, pirimicarb, metobromuron and fluazifop-P-butyl in air are among the first reported values for these pesticides. Five pesticides were detected at the Summerside farm in 1999, but only two fungicides (chlorothalonil and metalaxyl) were used locally, while the presence of metribuzin, alpha-endosulfan and methamidophos in air was not associated with local application. Evidence of pesticide drift was observed for chlorothalonil, alpha-endosulfan and methamidophos, and these pesticides were identified as being of high concern in terms of potential wildlife exposure on the Island.     

几种农药在露地黄瓜上的残留降解动态检测研究

研究了在露地黄瓜栽培中。喷施毒死蜱、甲氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯、吡虫啉、百菌清、甲基硫菌灵和王铜等农药的残留降解动态。结果表明，不同农药在黄瓜果实中的残留量和降解速度有很大差异。在杀虫剂中．甲氰菊酯在喷药后第1d的残留量最大，其后的降解速度较快；毒死蜱残留量位居第二，其降解速度比较稳定；氯氰菊酯在喷药后第1d的残留量超过标准．但第3d以后就检测不到其残留：吡虫啉在施药后第1d的残留量最低，降解速度也比较稳定。在杀菌剂中．甲基硫菌灵的降解速度较快，百菌清和王铜的降解速度较慢。无论是杀虫剂还是杀菌剂，施药后在黄瓜上的残留量随喷药时间的推移而减少。     

The influence of lipophilicity and formulation on the distribution of pesticides in laboratory-scale sediment/water systems

Pesticide reaching surface waters will be sorbed by sediment. This sorption process and the influence of pesticide formulation have been examined at 10 degrees C in small-scale systems having 2-cm depth of sediment and 8-cm overlying water stirred gently. Eight pesticides (triasulfuron, isoproturon, chlorotoluron, phenmedipham, difenoconazole, chlorpyrifos, pendimethalin and permethrin), spanning a range of physicochemical properties, were applied individually to the water. Sorption equilibrium was reached at between 15 and 30 days, the proportion of pesticide then in the sediment ranging from 20% for the acidic and therefore polar triasulfuron to 97% for the lipophilic permethrin; this behaviour was not influenced by formulation. Sorption coefficients measured in batch tests over 2 h gave good estimates of the equilibrium distribution. Some degradation was observed for all compounds over 90 days; for some compounds and formulations, enhanced degradation occurred after 20 to 60 days. It is concluded that lipophilicity is the chief determinant of pesticide distribution in sediment/water systems.     

Residues of six pesticides in fresh peach—nectarine fruits after preharvest treatment

One of the key features of the new cultural systems is the control of harmful agents with environment-friendly methods. In this study, the residue levels of chlorothalonil, iprodione, bupirimate, pirimicarb, chlorpyrifos and fenoxycarb in different peach??nectarine cultivars were investigated. It was found that, with the exception of chlorpyrifos, the residue levels of all pesticides were lower than the Maximum Residues Limits (MRLs) in all peach??nectarine cultivars used. The detected levels of chlorpyrifos were higher than the MRLs in the cultivar ??Maria Bianca?? 7?days after application, but in cv. ??Legory Hkcb?? dropped to very low levels 27?days after application. The degradation over time of the above pesticides in fruits was investigated in the peach cv. ??Andross??. The detected residue levels of bupirimate, iprodione, fenoxycarb, chlorpyrifos and pirimicarb in this peach cultivar were much lower than those recommended by the European Union (MRLs) 33, 22, 22, 28, and 63?days, respectively, after application, whereas the residue levels of chlorothalonil were below the limit of detection by the analytical method used. All pesticides showed a reduction over time. When examining the levels of residues of pirimicarb and chlorpyrifos in peaches (cv. ??Andross??) sampled from different parts of the tree canopy, no significant difference was found between samples collected from the top and the middle parts of the canopy; however, residues of pirimicarb were significantly higher in samples collected at the bottom of the canopy. Overall, the pesticide regime gave residue levels much lower than those of MRLs, in all peach??nectarine cultivars. This use of chemicals is in accordance with features of the new cultural systems to produce fruits with no or minimal pesticide residues, in contrast to the conventional system in which pesticide residues are not considered. Attention should however be paid to chlorpyrifos which should be applied at least 27?days before harvest. Factors related to the cultivars and the position of fruits in the tree canopy should be considered when sampling fruits for pesticide residues analysis.     

吡虫啉、苯醚甲环唑和百菌清在甘蓝中的消解及残留分布

为明确吡虫啉、苯醚甲环唑和百菌清在露地甘蓝中的消解动态及残留分布规律,在田间施用农药后,采用液相色谱-质谱联用仪和气相色谱仪,对不同时间甘蓝样品及甘蓝不同部位的农药残留量进行了分析。结果表明:3种农药在甘蓝中的消解动态均符合一级反应动力学模型,其中,吡虫啉消解最快,苯醚甲环唑次之,百菌清最慢,半衰期分别为1.35、2.28和2.47 d。最终残留试验结果显示:施药后7和14 d,吡虫啉、百菌清在甘蓝中的残留量均符合食品中农药残留限量要求,而苯醚甲环唑在施药后14 d的残留量仍高于最大残留限量值 (MRL)。3种农药在甘蓝不同部位中的残留量差异显著 (P<0.05),其中甘蓝内球叶中未检出或残留量较低,外球叶中初始残留量较低,1至5 d可降至MRL值以下,外叶中的残留量显著高于其他部位。该结果表明,采后处理甘蓝时若去除其外叶,可有效降低甘蓝中的农药残留量,提高质量安全水平。     

Dynamics of pesticide residues in the autumn Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) grown in open fields

Residues of the pesticides chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin and chlorothalonil in the autumn Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) were studied using gas chromatography. The results indicated that the residues were dependent on the frequency and rate of pesticide application and on the weather conditions immediately following spraying. When the Chinese cabbages were treated once at normal rates, the half-lives of the seven pesticides in the vegetable were 4.7, 5.3, 2.9, 3.5, 5.4, 4.3 and 4.0 days respectively. Thus, based on the recommended preharvest intervals, the residual levels of all pesticides were within the national standards. When the Chinese cabbages were treated four times at maximal rates at 5 day intervals, the half-lives of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and chlorothalonil in the vegetable were 3.6, 2.9 and 5.9 days respectively, so that, based on the recommended preharvest intervals, the residual levels of chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil exceeded the national standards for pollution-free vegetables, but the residual level of cypermethrin was within the national standard. Effects of rain on pesticide final residues in plants treated four times were more significant than in those treated once.     

Cell death localization in situ in laboratory reared honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) larvae treated with pesticides

In this study, cell death detected by DNA fragmentation labeling and phosphatidylserine (PS) localization was investigated in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) midgut, salivary glands and ovaries after treating larvae with different pesticides offered via an artificial diet. To do this, honey bee larvae reared in an incubator were exposed to one of nine pesticides: chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, amitraz, fluvalinate, coumaphos, myclobutanil, chlorothalonil, glyphosate and simazine. Following this, larvae were fixed and prepared for immunohistologically detected cellular death using two TUNEL techniques for DNA fragmentation labeling and Annexin V to detect the localization of exposed PS specific in situ binding to apoptotic cells. Untreated larvae experienced ∼10% midgut apoptotic cell death under controlled conditions. All applied pesticides triggered an increase in apoptosis in treated compared to untreated larvae. The level of cell death in the midgut of simazine-treated larvae was highest at 77% mortality and statistically similar to the level of cell death for chlorpyrifos (65%), imidacloprid (61%), myclobutanil (69%), and glyphosate (69%) treated larvae. Larvae exposed to fluvalinate had the lowest midgut columnar apoptotic cell death (30%) of any pesticide-treated larvae. Indications of elevated apoptotic cell death in salivary glands and ovaries after pesticide application were detected. Annexin V localization, indicative of apoptotic cell deletion, had an extensive distribution in the midgut, salivary glands and ovaries of pesticide-treated larvae. The data suggest that the tested pesticides induced apoptosis in tissues of honey bee larvae at the tested concentrations. Cell death localization as a tool for a monitoring the subclinical and sub-lethal effects of external influences on honey bee larval tissues is discussed.     

几种农药多元组合对HepG2人肝癌细胞的联合毒性效应

多种农药残留经膳食暴露途径进入人体后,其联合毒性的潜在风险通常超过单一农药。为探明农药多残留的联合暴露毒性,采用经典MTT (噻唑蓝) 比色法,测定了阿维菌素、啶虫脒、多菌灵、百菌清、毒死蜱、高效氯氟氰菊酯、咪酰胺和三唑磷8种农药多种组合方式联合暴露下对HepG2人肝癌细胞增殖的抑制活性。结果表明:联合暴露24 h后,不同种类农药组合对HepG2细胞存活率的影响存在较大差异,随着组合农药质量浓度升高,部分组合对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制效应分别呈现S型变化和线性变化。例如,二元组合 (多菌灵+高效氯氟氰菊酯) 在0~10.00 mg/L、三元组合 (多菌灵+阿维菌素+高效氯氟氰菊酯) 在0~24.12 mg/L、四元组合 (三唑磷+高效氯氟氰菊酯+多菌灵+阿维菌素) 在0~47.46 mg/L以及五元组合 (毒死蜱+阿维菌素+啶虫咪+高效氯氟氰菊酯+三唑磷) 在0~62.80 mg/L暴露条件下其抑制效应表现为S型变化,即随着组合农药质量浓度增大,细胞存活率先迅速降低,之后则缓慢降低;二元组合 (多菌灵+百菌清) 在0~8.46 mg/L、三元组合 (毒死蜱+啶虫脒+多菌灵) 在0~39.97 mg/L、四元组合 (多菌灵+高效氯氟氰菊酯+百菌清+阿维菌素) 在0~25.92 mg/L以及六元组合 (啶虫脒+毒死蜱+三唑磷+多菌灵+高效氯氟氰菊酯+阿维菌素) 在0~57.48 mg/L暴露条件下其抑制效应表现为线性变化,即随着组合农药质量浓度升高,细胞存活率呈线性降低。本研究对农产品中农药多残留的体外细胞毒性进行了评估,明确了不同农药多残留组合对HepG2人肝癌细胞增殖的抑制作用剂量-效应关系,可为进一步探索农药多残留的细胞毒性机制和开展食品安全风险评估提供依据。     

农田尾菜发酵过程中农药残留变化特征

基于尾菜中存在农药残留的现状,以设施农业尾菜黄瓜秧为研究对象,采用气相色谱法和超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测了尾菜黄瓜秧在静态好氧发酵过程中多菌灵、吡虫啉、哒螨灵等50种农药残留的动态变化,并分析发酵重要影响因子堆高对农药残留消解的影响。结果表明:在尾菜黄瓜秧中共检测出腐霉利、多菌灵、嘧菌酯、苯醚甲环唑、烯酰吗啉、虫螨腈、吡虫啉、啶虫脒和哒螨灵9种农药残留,其中多菌灵平均残留量最高,达11.2 mg/kg,其他8种农药平均残留量在0.042~0.89 mg/kg之间。在发酵的24 d中,不同堆高条件下9种农药的消解规律均符合一级反应动力学方程,但不同农药半衰期差异较大,其中吡虫啉的平均半衰期最长,为28.9 d,多菌灵的平均半衰期最短,为10.2 d;不同堆高处理中农药的消解速率也有差异,总体上在2.5 m堆高下各农药的消解率最高、半衰期最短。本研究结果可为尾菜发酵参数优化、农业废弃物的高效资源化利用以及研发基于尾菜发酵产物的有机蔬菜专用有机肥提供理论支撑。     

Degradation and sorption of atrazine, hexazinone and procymidone in coastal sand aquifer media

The degradation, sorption and transport of atrazine, hexazinone and procymidone in saturated coastal sand aquifer media were investigated in batch and column experiments. The pesticides were incubated with sterilised and non-sterilised groundwater or a mixture of groundwater and the aquifer material in the dark at 15 degrees C for 120 days. The estimated half-lives of the pesticides (and their ranges) in the mixture of groundwater and aquifer sand were 36 (31-40), 54 (40-77) and 84 (46-260) days for atrazine, procymidone and hexazinone, respectively. Compared with the relevant results for the groundwater-sand mixture phase, the estimated half-life of pesticides in the groundwater phase alone was shorter for procymidone (21 days) but longer for hexazinone (134 days); atrazine was not degraded in the groundwater phase. Chemical degradation appeared to have played the predominant role in the degradation of hexazinone and procymidone in the aquifer system, while both chemical and biological processes seemed to be important for the degradation of atrazine. Batch isothermal experiments were carried out at pH 4.6-4.7 to obtain sorption coefficients under equilibrium conditions. The isothermal data of the pesticides fitted well with the non-linear Freundlich function with an exponent of sorption coefficient that was greater than one. Contrary to reports in the literature, sorption of atrazine was the greatest, and procymidone was slightly more sorbed than hexazinone. A column experiment was conducted at a typical field-flow velocity of 0.5 m day(-1) over 60 days to study pesticide attenuation and transport in flow dynamic conditions. Retardation factors, R, derived from a two-site sorption/desorption model were 8.22, 1.76 and 1.63 for atrazine, procymidone and hexazinone, respectively. Atrazine displayed the lowest mobility and the mobility of procymidone was only slightly less than that of hexazinone, which is consistent with observations in the batch experiment. A possible explanation for these observations is that ionic atrazine is bound to oppositely charged ionic oxides, and ionic oxides have less effect on the sorption of the non-ionic procymidone. The significant tailing in the pesticide breakthrough curves (BTCs) in comparison with the bromide BTC, together with model-simulated results, suggests that the transport of the pesticides was under chemical non-equilibrium conditions with R values that were less than their equivalent values predicted using the batch equilibrium isothermal data. As a result of non-linear kinetic sorption, retardation factors of the pesticides in groundwater systems would not be constant and will decrease with decreasing pesticide concentrations and increasing flow velocities. Hence, the use of equilibrium isotherm data will probably over-predict the sorption of pesticides in groundwater systems. Rhodamine WT, a commonly used groundwater tracer, was significantly retarded (R = 5.48) and its BTC was much more spread out than the bromide BTC. Therefore, it would not be a good tracer for the indication of groundwater flow velocity and dispersion for the coastal sand aquifer system. In contrast to some aquifer media, the dye tracer was unsuitable as a marker of the appearance of atrazine in a coastal sand aquifer system.     

农药投入量毒性系数及其在水稻安全生产中的应用

本文针对农药应用后的风险评价问题,提出农药投入量毒性系数的概念,反映了农药投入量与急性毒性间的关系。作为风险评估的一个指标,将该系数在吡虫啉-阿维菌素和毒死蜱-甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐复配制剂研制中得到应用。该系数衡量了农药使用与生物风险的关系,为研制复配制剂和农药使用后生物风险评价提供了参考。     

高尔夫球场农药向大气中的挥发研究

高尔夫球场喷洒农药向大气中的挥发受农药性质、施药方式和环境条件的影响。用丙酮、二氯甲烷等有机溶剂作吸收液可较好地捕集空气中的氯氰菊酯、毒死蜱、百茵清等农药化合物。试验条件下,2,4-D丁酯、百菌清和氯氰菊酯在大气中的挥发损失率分别为6．31％、1.38％、7．20％,毒死蜱和灭多威的挥发损失率为0．78％和1．66％。相比之下,氯氰菊酯较易挥发,对空气的污染较大。选择性用药,采用颗粒剂撒施,可有效地减少农药挥发,有利于环境保护。     

浙江省猕猴桃主产区果实农药残留水平与评价

以无公害落叶浆果类果品标准为评价标准,对浙江省猕猴桃主产区180个猕猴桃样品中农药残留情况进行了分析与评价.结果表明:浙江省猕猴桃农药品种检出率71.4％,样品农药检出率52.2％.在所检测的7种农药中,敌敌畏、乐果2种有机磷农药均未检出,4种拟除虫菊酯类农药均有不同程度的检出,检出率依次为:氯氰菊酯25.6％,百菌清17.2％,三唑酮12.2％,溴氰菊酯0.56％,杀菌剂多菌灵检出率26.7％,有机磷类农药和拟除虫菊酯类农药来发现超标现象,多菌灵存在超标现象,超标率2.22％.不同产地和取样场所果实中农药残留检出率存在一定差异.经单项农药污染指数和综合农药污染指数评价发现,浙江省猕猴桃未受到农药污染,品质基本安全.     

十种常用农药与球孢白僵菌的生物学相容性

球孢白僵菌孢子粉与10种常用农药相容性的测定结果显示,随着孢子浓度上升,所试农药对孢子的抑制作用均有不同程度的增强。在1/10田间常规使用浓度下,百菌清和代森锰锌均能抑制或杀死孢子(萌发率<1％)。除阿维菌素外,所有杀虫剂均与白僵菌孢子相容,在常规使用浓度的10倍稀释液中孢子萌发率达90％以上。吡虫啉、蚜虱灵、灭多威和氟虫腈与孢子的相容性最好,其中吡虫啉和蚜虱灵对孢子萌发率的影响不明显随药剂浓度的变化而变化,即使在田间常规使用浓度下孢子萌发率也在95％以上,而阿维菌素与白僵菌的相容性极差。因此,应用白僵菌制剂防治害虫,选择生物学相容性好的农药以低剂量与白僵菌制剂混用,既可使菌剂增效,又可大幅度降低化学药剂用量。     

Effect of long‐term field application of pendimethalin: enhanced degradation in soil

The effect of long‐term application of pendimethalin in a maize–wheat rotation on herbicide persistence was investigated. Pendimethalin was applied at 1.5 kg AI ha⁻¹ separately as one or two annual applications for five consecutive years in the same plots. Residues of pendimethalin were determined by gas chromatography. Harvest‐time residues of the herbicide decreased gradually over the years and at the end of five years less than 3% of applied pendimethalin was recovered from soil as against 18% in the first year. Residues were found distributed in the soil profile up to 90 cm depth at the end of the experiment with peak distribution of 0.03 µg g⁻¹ in the surface layer of soil treated with 10 herbicide applications. The minimum distribution was, however, in the deepest soil (75–90 cm) profile. Some of the metabolites of pendimethalin ie dealkylated pendimethalin derivative, partially reduced derivative and cyclized product were also traced in surface and sub‐surface soils up to 90 cm. A study of the rate of degradation of pendimethalin in field‐treated soils under laboratory conditions revealed faster degradation compared to control soils. Only the surface soil (0–15 cm) showed this enhanced degradation of the herbicide, which could be due to the adaptability of the aerobic micro‐organisms to degrade pendimethalin. Microbes capable of degrading herbicide were isolated, identified and pendimethalin degradation was confirmed in nutrient broth. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

卷烟主流烟气总粒相物、气相物和烟灰中吡虫啉等5种农药残留及其转移行为

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)测定主流烟气总粒相物、烟灰和气相物中吡虫啉、二甲戊灵、仲丁灵、甲霜灵和腈菌唑含量的方法。样品经乙腈提取,分散固相萃取后进行UPLC-MS/MS分析。各基质中5种农药的检出限为0.196~10.7 ng/cig,平均添加回收率为71%~118%,RSD为2.2%~12%。应用该方法研究了标准卷烟添加5种农药标准品和自然高残留样品中5种农药的烟气转移率。结果表明:标准卷烟添加5种农药标准品的主流烟气总粒相物中吡虫啉转移率相对较低(＜7%),而其余4种农药转移率均大于30%;烟灰中未检出吡虫啉,其余4种农药转移率仅为0.1%~0.2%;此外,在主流烟气气相物中未检出目标农药。自然高残留卷烟样品主流烟气总粒相物中仅检出腈菌唑,且其转移率(2.6%~3.1%)远低于添加标准品的卷烟。     

Movement of pendimethalin,ioxynil and soil particles to field drainage tiles

Knowledge of the movement of herbicides and soil particles to sub-surface tile drainage may help to predict chemical leaching to surface waters and deeper groundwater systems. The movement of pendimethalin (2 years), ioxynil (1 year) and soil particles (3 years) to two tile drains was investigated on a sandy loam soil under natural weather conditions. Herbicide and particle concentrations in the drain water showed a very dynamic pattern. The largest herbicide concentrations were detected during the first tile drain flow events after application. Very little herbicide was lost with drain water later than 2 months after application. The turbidity, reflecting concentrations of soil particles, correlated positively and strongly with the pendimethalin concentration and negatively with the rate of drain water discharge, whereas it was uncorrelated with the ioxynil concentration. Peak turbidity values occurred during or shortly after rainfall events, either in break of frost situations, or on unfrozen soil coinciding with the occurrence of peak moisture contents in the topsoil well (3-7%) above field capacity. On average, 0.0013% of the applied pendimethalin and 0.0015% of the applied ioxynil were lost with drain water. The results suggest that preferential flow promotes the movement of all three substances to the tile drains but indicate somewhat different transport mechanisms for the two herbicides.     

Pesticide residues on the external surfaces of field-crop sprayers: environmental impact

There is increased awareness of the need to clean the external surfaces of sprayers, but the extent to which the washings may impact on the environment is not known. Quantification of the levels of external residues on sprayers could give an indication of the potential environmental impact of sprayer cleaning. The presence of azoxystrobin, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, cyanazine, cypermethrin, epoxiconazole, flusilazole, isoproturon, kresoxim-methyl, metazachlor, pendimethalin, pirimicarb and tebuconazole on thirteen sprayers, sampled on two occasions was investigated. Composite samples were taken from the boom, nozzles and spray tank (delivery system) and the mudguard, cab door, rear window and windscreen (tractor body). Despite being subject to some form of cleaning, pesticides were detected on all sprayers. Residues were found at higher quantities and with greater frequency on the nozzles and booms, but the mean dose on the spray tank was equal to that on the mudguard (7.2 mg m(-2)). Isoproturon, pendimethalin, metazachlor, chlorothalonil and azoxystrobin were all detected above 1000 mg m(-2) on the delivery system, whereas on the tractor body the highest concentrations were between 100 and 1000 mg m(-2) (isoproturon, pendimethalin, chlorothalonil and carbendazim). On the whole, azoxystrobin was detected on the least number of occasions. However, there was great variation within and between compounds and sampling sites. Generally sprayers were not cleaned frequently or efficiently, enabling residues to accumulate on the external surfaces where they can remain for years. The findings here indicate that the quantity of these residues may be sufficient to be harmful to aquatic organisms should the residues enter a watercourse. In addition, if all the residues were removed by cleaning in the field and the washings catchment area was 15 m2 or less, overdosing could occur. Further work is required to assess whether a more frequent cleaning regime would reduce the overall environmental impact of cleaning sprayers. Implications for potential occupational exposure are considered elsewhere.