Two Years of Pesticides Monitoring in a Belgian Watershed |
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Authors: | Sabine Beernaerts Marie Gerard Philippe Debongnie Jean-Paul Barthelemy Luc Pussemier Alfred Copin |
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Affiliation: | 1. Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (VAR) , Ministry of Small Enterprises , Traders and Agriculture, Leuvensesteenweg 17, Tervuren, 8030, Belgium;2. Unit of Analytical Chemistry and Crop Protection Sciences , Agricultural University of Gembloux (FUSAGx) , Passage des Déportés, 2, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium |
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Abstract: | A monitoring study was carried out in 1998-1999 on a medium-sized (c. 4580 km2) watershed of the Dyle (or Dijle) river in central Belgium, composed of both rural and urbanized areas. This watershed may be considered as representative of a large part of the country. Samples were taken each month from seven sites along the course of the river, plus one from its major affluent the Demer. The eight molecules monitored were the main herbicides used on the major crops in the area, plus some used in nonagricultural sectors. The concentrations found were mostly in the 0-3 μg/L range, with some peaks between 3 and 14 μg/L. The averages over all spring and summer samples analyzed ranged from 0.14 (bentazone) to 1.54 μg/L (diuron). Time and space specific patterns could be observed. |
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Keywords: | Monitoring Surface Water Herbicides |
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