Spatiotemporal distribution patterns and ecological risk of multi-pesticide residues in the surface water of a typical agriculture area in China

This study systematically investigated the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, and ecological risk of 106 pesti-cides in the surface water of the Jiaodong Peninsula in China. The results show that 52 pesticides, including 21 insec-ticides, 10 fungicides, and 21 herbicides, were detectable in the surface water. The concentrations of target pesticides in water samples ranged from 0.42 (tebuconazole in the wet season) to 645.31 ng/L (thiamethoxam in the normal sea-son). The two most polluting and widespread pesticides were quintozene (maximum concentration of 481.46 ng/L and detection rate of 94 %) and atrazine (maximum concentration of 465.73 ng/L and detection rate of 100 %). The total pesticide concentrations in surface water in different seasons revealed the order of dry season > wet season > normal season. Based on aquatic pesticide concentrations, their frequency of occurrence, and effect concentrations, insecti-cides posed higher risks to aquatic organisms and human health than either fungicides or herbicides. Total pesticide concentrations were significantly positively correlated with suspended particulate matter, dissolved organic carbon, soil pH, normalized difference vegetation index, adjacent cropland area; and were negatively associated with adjacent grassland area. The cropland area largely influences pesticide distribution in the surface water of the Jiaodong Peninsula.

Automated summary

This study investigated the presence, distribution, and risk of 106 pesticides in the surface water of the Jiaodong Peninsula in China. Over half of the pesticides were detectable, with insecticides posing the highest risk to aquatic organisms and human health. The concentration of pesticides varied across seasons, with higher levels during the dry season. Cropland area was found to significantly influence pesticide distribution in surface water.