Discriminating between point and non-point sources of atrazine contamination of a sandy aquifer

Pesticides in the environment: Degradation routes, pesticide transformation products and ecotoxicological considerations

Among rising environmental concerns, emerging contaminants constitute a variety of different chemicals and biological agents. The composition, residence time in environmental media, chemical interactions, and toxicity of emerging contaminants are not fully known, and hence, their regulation becomes problematic. Some of the important groups of emerging contaminants are pesticides and pesticide transformation products (PTPs), which present a considerable obstacle to maintaining and preserving ecosystem health. This review article aims to thoroughly comprehend the occurrence, fate, and ecotoxicological importance of pesticide transformation products (PTPs). The paper provides an overview of pesticides and PTPs as contaminants of emerging concern and discusses the modes of degradation of pesticides, their properties and associated risks. The degradation of pesticides, however, does not lead to complete destruction but can instead lead to the generation of PTPs. The review discusses the properties and toxicity of PTPs and presents the methods available for their detection. Moreover, the present study examines the existing regulatory framework and suggests the need for the development of new technologies for easy, routine detection of PTPs to regulate them effectively in the environment.

Accelerator mass spectrometry measurements of 233U in groundwater, soil and vegetation at a legacy radioactive waste site

Low-level radioactive wastes were disposed at the Little Forest Legacy Site (LFLS) near Sydney, Australia between 1960 and 1968. According to the disposal records, 233U contributes a significant portion of the inventory of actinide activity buried in the LFLS trenches. Although the presence of 233U in environmental samples from LFLS has been previously inferred from alpha-spectrometry measurements, it has been difficult to quantify because the 233U and 234U α-peaks are superimposed. Therefore, the amounts of 233U in groundwaters, soils and vegetation from the vicinity of the LFLS were measured using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The AMS results show the presence of 233U in numerous environmental samples, particularly those obtained within, and in the immediate vicinity of, the trenched area. There is evidence for dispersion of 233U in groundwater (possibly mobilised by co-disposed organic liquids), and the data also suggest other sources of 233U contamination in addition to the trench wastes. These may include leakages and spills from waste drums as well as waste burnings, which also occurred at the site. The AMS results confirm the historic information regarding disposal of 233U in the LFLS trenches. The AMS technique has been valuable to ascertain the distribution and environmental behaviour of 233U at the LFLS and the results demonstrate the applicability of AMS for evaluating contamination of 233U at other radioactive waste sites.

Temporal evolution of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in wells in the Akkar Region (Lebanon)

The Akkar plain is the second largest agricultural area in Lebanon. This region produces huge amount of regular crops such as maize, fruits, and vegetables. In order to protect the crops, farmers use large quantities of many pesticides (including authorized and prohibited molecules) without respecting the recommended doses. In this work, we wanted to study the evolution of OCP and OPP residues at 3-year intervals in water wells in the Akkar region. Twenty OCPs and 8 OPPs were monitored in eight wells in different villages in the plain and mountains of Akkar. Solid phase extraction (SPE) method was used for pesticide extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed an increasing concentration of OCPs and OPPs in groundwater over the last 3 years (between 2017 and 2019-2020). This increase in contamination is due to the uncontrolled and still unregulated (by the authorities) use of pesticides, and also to the introduction of new crops. The concentrations found in groundwater confirm that some banned pesticides are still widely used. The calculation of the theoretical pesticide intake suggests that pesticide concentrations in Akkar represent a greater health risk for the population consuming well water during the rainy season.

Investigating Atrazine Concentrations in the Zwischenscholle Aquifer Using MODFLOW with the HYDRUS-1D Package and MT3DMS

Simulation models that describe the flow and transport processes of pesticides in soil and groundwater are important tools to analyze how surface pesticide applications influence groundwater quality. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the slow decline and the stable spatial pattern of atrazine concentrations after its ban, which were observed in a long-term monitoring study of pesticide concentrations in the Zwischenscholle aquifer (Germany), could be explained by such model simulations. Model simulations were carried out using MODFLOW model coupled with the HYDRUS-1D package and MT3DMS. The results indicate that the spatial variability in the atrazine application rate and the volume of water entering and leaving the aquifer through lateral boundaries produced variations in the spatial distribution of atrazine in the aquifer. The simulated and observed water table levels and the average annual atrazine concentrations were found to be comparable. The long-term analysis of the simulated impact of atrazine applications in the study area shows that atrazine persisted in groundwater even 20 years after its ban at an average atrazine concentration of 0.035 µg/L. These results corroborate the findings of the previous monitoring studies.

Hydrochemical profiles in urban groundwater systems: New insights into contaminant sources and pathways in the subsurface from legacy and emerging contaminants

It has long been known that groundwaters beneath urban areas carry a fingerprint from urban activities but finding a consistent tracer for anthropogenic influence has proved elusive. The varied sources of urban contaminants means that a single consistent and inexpensive means of tracing the fate of urban contaminants is not generally possible and multiple tracers are often required to understand the contaminant sources and pathways in these complex systems. This study has utilized a combination of micro-organic (MO) contaminants and inorganic hydrochemistry to trace recharge pathways and quantify the variability of groundwater quality in multi-level piezometers in the city of Doncaster, UK. A total of 23 MOs were detected during this study, with more compounds consistently detected during higher groundwater table conditions highlighting the importance of sampling under different hydrological conditions. Four of the compounds detected are EU Water Framework Directive priority substances: atrazine, simazine, naphthalene and DEHP, with a maximum concentration of 0.18, 0.03, 0.2, 16μg/l respectively. Our study shows that the burden of the banned pesticide atrazine persists in the Sherwood Sandstone and is detected at two of the three study sites. Emerging contaminants are seen throughout the borehole profiles and provide insights into transient pathways for contaminant migration in the sub-surface. Long term changes in inorganic hydrochemistry show possible changes in contaminant input or the dissolution of minerals. Nitrate was detected above 50mg/l but on the whole nitrate concentrations have declined in the intervening years either due to a reduction of nitrate application at the surface or a migration of peak nitrate concentrations laterally or to greater depth. This study shows that multiple tracers together with multi-level piezometers can give a better resolution of contaminant pathways and variable flow regimes within the relatively uncomplicated aquifer of the Sherwood Sandstone compared with single long screened wells.

An integrated approach for assessing influence of agricultural activities on pesticides in a shallow aquifer in south-eastern Norway

The study examines the influence of agricultural activities on pesticides in groundwater in an area with fluvial deposits of sand with a top layer of sandy silt and silt, intensive cultivation of potatoes and cereals, and drinking water supplies of households from local groundwater wells. Information about local agricultural practice and washing sites for pesticide spraying equipment, properties of soils and deeper deposits, hydrogeology and groundwater flow, simulations of pesticide leaching, and contents of pesticides and nitrate in groundwater samples from drinking water wells was used to explore extension and reasons of pesticide contamination of groundwater. Pesticides were found in a majority of the sampled wells. Eight different pesticides and metabolites were detected in groundwater samples. The results demonstrate that on fluvial deposits diffuse pollution from spraying of fields with pesticides can result in groundwater contamination in Nordic climate. Higher concentrations of pesticides in some wells can be explained by point source contamination from washing sites. The occurrence of pesticides in drinking water wells touches up the question whether pesticides should be given general approvals, or approvals should include restrictions or recommendations regarding use on areas with high risk of groundwater contamination. Combination of washing sites for pesticide spraying equipment and groundwater wells for drinking water requires attention, proper equipment and practice, and knowledge about pesticides, soil and water to avoid contamination. Samples from wells adjacent to washing sites for pesticide equipment might overestimate average pesticide concentrations in groundwater bodies. In Nordic areas attention should be given to pesticide pollution of shallow groundwater in fluvial deposits. To provide basis for interpretation of results and planning of mitigation measures against pesticide contamination, an integrated approach using information about agronomical practice and point sources, soil properties, hydrogeology and simulations of pesticide leaching is recommended for future surveys and monitoring of pesticides in groundwater.

Simulated solar light phototransformation of organophosphorus azinphos methyl at the surface of clays and goethite

The photochemical behavior of the pesticide azinphos methyl at the surface of clays (kaolinite, bentonite) and goethite was studied using Suntest setup (λ > 300 nm). The quantum yield on the clays was found to be roughly three times lower than that in aqueous solution. However, the photochemical efficiency was much higher at the surface of goethite owing to its photocatalytic activity through the hydroxyl radical production. The added humic substances on kaolonite show an inhibition of azinphos methyl degradation while the incorporation of iron(III) aquacomplexes leads to an important increase of the disappearance together with the formation of iron(II). Hydroxyl radical species were found to be formed either by excitation of goethite or clays. The goethite support acts as a more efficient catalyst for the formation of these reactive oxygen species. The photodecomposition reactions observed were (i) hydrolysis process leading to the formation of benzotriazone and the oxidation of the P = S bond giving rise to the formation of the oxon derivative, and (ii) homolytic cleavage of the N-C and C-S bonds of the organophosphorus bridge leading to the formation of dimers that appear to be specific to the irradiation at the surface of solid supports since they were not observed when the irradiation was performed in aqueous media: a statement that is related to the presence of aggregates at the surface of solid supports.

Pesticides in water supply wells in Zealand, Denmark: a statistical analysis

Data from the Danish National Borehole Database are used to predict drinking water well vulnerability to contamination by pesticides, and to identify the dominant mechanisms leading to well pollution in Zealand, Denmark. The frequency of detection and concentrations of 4 herbicides and 3 herbicide metabolites are related to factors accounting for geology (thicknesses of sand, clay and chalk layers), geographical location (distance to surface water and distance to contaminated sites), redox conditions and well depth using logistic regression, the binomial test and Spearman correlation techniques. Results show that drinking water wells located in urban areas are more vulnerable to BAM and phenoxy acids contamination, while non-urban area wells are more subject to bentazone contamination. Parameters accounting for the hydraulic connection between the well and the surface (well depth and thickness of the clay confining layer) are often strongly related to well vulnerability. Results also show that wells close to surface water are more vulnerable to contamination, and that sandy layers provide better protection against the leaching of oxidizable pesticides than clay aquitards, because they are more likely to be aerobic. 4-CPP is observed more often at greater well depth, perhaps because of anaerobic dechlorination of dichlorprop. The field data are used to create a set of probabilistic models to predict well vulnerability to contamination by pesticides.

Identification of the nitrate contamination sources of the Brusselian sands groundwater body (Belgium) using a dual-isotope approach

Isotopic fingerprinting is an advanced technique allowing the classification of the nitrate source pollution of groundwater, but needs further development and validation. In this study, we performed measurements of natural stable isotopic composition of nitrate ((15)N and (18)O) in the groundwater body of the Brussels sands (Belgium) and studied the spatial and temporal dynamics of the isotope signature of this aquifer. Potential nitrogen sources sampled in the region had isotopic signatures that fell within the corresponding typical ranges found in the literature. For a few monitoring stations, the isotopic data strongly suggest that the sources of nitrate are from mineral fertiliser origin, as used in agriculture and golf courses. Other stations suggest that manure leaching from unprotected stockpiles in farms, domestic gardening practices, septic tanks and probably cemeteries contribute to the nitrate pollution of this groundwater body. For most monitoring stations, nitrate originates from a mixing of several nitrogen sources. The isotopic signature of the groundwater body was poorly structured in space, but exhibited a clear temporal structure. This temporal structure could be explained by groundwater recharge dynamics and cycling process of nitrogen in the soil-nitrogen pool.

Dimensionality of heavy metal distribution in waste disposal sites using nonlinear dynamics

Mapping of heavy metal contamination in mining and waste disposal sites usually relies on geostatistical approaches and linear stochastic dynamics. The present paper aims to identify, using the Grassberger-Procaccia correlation dimension (CD) algorithm, the existence of a nonlinear deterministic and chaotic dynamic behaviour in the spatial pattern of arsenic, manganese and zinc concentration in a Russian coal waste disposal site. The analysis carried out yielded embedding dimension values ranging between 7 and 8 suggesting thus from a chaotic dynamic perspective that arsenic, manganese and zinc concentration in space is a medium dimensional problem for the regionalized scale considered in this study. This alternative nonlinear dynamics approach may complement conventional geostatistical studies and may be also used for the estimation of risk and the subsequent screening and selection of a feasible remediation scheme in wider mining and waste disposal sites. Finally, the synergistic effect of this study may be further elaborated if additional factors including among others presence of hot spots, density and depth of sampling, mineralogy of wastes and sensitivity of analytical techniques are taken into account.

Including spatial variability in Monte Carlo simulations of pesticide leaching

A methodology is developed to quantify the uncertainty in a pesticide leaching assessment arising from the spatial variability of non-georeferenced parameters. A Monte Carlo analysis of atrazine leaching is performed in the Dyle river catchment (Belgium) with pesticide half-life (DT50) and topsoil organic matter (OM) content as uncertain input parameters. Atrazine DT50 is taken as a non-georeferenced parameter, so that DT50 values sampled from the input distribution are randomly allocated in the study area for every simulation. Organic matter content is a georeferenced parameter, so that a fixed uncertainty distribution is given at each location. Spatially variable DT50 values are found to have a significant influence on the amount of simulated leaching. In the stochastic simulation, concentrations exist above the regulatory level of 0.1 microg L(-1), but virtually no leaching occurs in the deterministic simulation. It is axiomatic that substance parameters (DT50, sorption coefficient, etc.) are spatially variable, but pesticide registration procedures currently ignore this fact. Including this spatial variability in future registration policies would have significant consequences on the amount and pattern of leaching simulated, especially if risk assessments are implemented in a spatially distributed way.