A review of modeling pesticides in freshwaters: Current status, progress achieved and desirable improvements.

This study comprises a critical review of modeling of pesticides in surface waters. The aim was to update the status of the use of models to simulate the fate of pesticides from diffuse sources. ISI papers were selected on Scopus and the information concerning the study areas, type of pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and in-secticides), the model, and the methodology adopted (i.e., calibration and/or validation, spatial and temporal scales) were analyzed. The studies were carried out in Europe (55.5%), North America (22.3%), Asia (13.9%) and South America (8.3%). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool proved to be the most used model (45.95%). Her-bicides were the most modeled pesticides (71.4%), followed by insecticides (18.2%) and fungicides (10.4%). The main herbicides modeled were atrazine, metolachlor, isoproturon, glyphosate, and acetochlor. Insecticides such as chlorpyrifos and metaldehyde. Chlorothalonil, and fungicides (i.e., tebuconazole) were the most widely investigated. Based on published studies, it was found that modeling approaches for assessing the fate of pes-ticides are constantly evolving and the model algorithms work well with diverse watershed conditions, man-agement strategies, and pesticide properties. Several papers reported concentrations of pesticides exceeding ecotoxicological thresholds revealing that water contamination with pesticides used in agriculture and urban areas is a priority issue of current global concern.

Automated summary

This study critically reviewed the modeling of pesticides in surface waters, aiming to update the current use of models in simulating the fate of pesticides from diffuse sources. By selecting ISI papers on Scopus, the study analyzed information on the study areas, types of pesticides, models used, and the methodology adopted. The majority of studies were conducted in Europe, followed by North America, Asia, and South America. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was found to be the most commonly used model, and herbicides were the most modeled pesticides. The findings indicate that modeling approaches for assessing pesticide fate are constantly evolving and that water contamination with pesticides is a significant global concern.