Pesticides in rainfall in Europe

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 110; no. 2; pp. 331 - 344
• Main Authors: Dubus, I.G, Hollis, J.M, Brown, C.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Deposition; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; Natural water pollution; Pesticide; Pollution; Precipitation; Rain; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Review; Water treatment and pollution; Europe; Precipitation; Rain; Review; Pesticide; Deposition; Transport process; Atmospheric fallout; Pollutant behavior; Environment impact; Content; Long range pollutant transport; Pesticides; Rain water; Water pollution; Wet deposition
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/S0269-7491(99)00295-X

“Capsule”: Lindane was the most commonly detected pesticide. Papers and published reports investigating the presence of pesticides in rainfall in Europe were reviewed. Approximately half of the compounds that were analysed for were detected. For those detected, most concentrations were below about 100 ng/l, but larger concentrations, up to a few thousand nanograms per litre, were detected occasionally at most monitoring sites. The most frequently detected compounds were lindane (γ-HCH) and its isomer (α-HCH), which were detected on 90–100% of sampling occasions at most of the sites where they were monitored. For compounds developed more recently, detection was usually limited to the spraying season. A classification of pesticides according to their deposition pattern is proposed.