Survey of herbicide residues in soil and wells in three citrus orchards in Valencia, Spain

Soil samples taken in summer 1989 and winter 1990 at different depths from three citrus orchards of the Valencia region (Spain) with a long history of residual herbicide treatments were analysed with bioassays and chromatographic procedures. The herbicides involved were atrazine, bromacil, diuron, simazine, terbuthylazine, terbumetone, terbutryn and trifluralin. Water samples from wells in the orchards were also analysed. The concentrations of the herbicides were very low, often below the limit of determination, and were always highest in the upper layers of soil. After a very unusual period of heavy rain, small quantities of some chemicals were found in the well water. The conclusion was that in these orchards the herbicides applied at currently used rates are unlikely to accumulate in any layers of the soil.