A qualitative field method for monitoring pesticides in the edge-of-field runoff

A field method is described, which allows the qualitative estimation of pesticide contamination in the edge-of-field runoff. The method employs cheap and easy-to-use runoff sampling bottles, which were installed in an agricultural stream catchment over a period of three growing seasons. During this time 18 runoff events were detected, in nine of which insecticide contamination was measured (maximum concentrations: lindane 0.7 mu g l(-1) and 12.7 mu g kg(-1), parathion 20 mu g l(-1) and 728 mu g kg(-1), fenvalerate 18.4 mu g l(-1) and 924 mu g kg(-1)). These insecticides were detected mainly as particle-bound chemicals. On about 80 % of the occasions the presence or absence of runoff measured in the field was in agreement with a simulation of runoff presence or absence using the runoff model KINEROS. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.