title: GIS-based system for surface water risk assessment of agricultural chemicals. 1. Methodological approach.
abstract: A methodology to develop a GIS-based system for the surface water risk assessment of agricultural chemicals is described. It is based on the integration of relational and spatial databases, GIS incorporating raster and vector, mass balance models, and pesticide risks indicators. Surface water pollution was modeled by taking into account two main processes: the load due to drift and the load due to a rainfall-runoff event. The former is immediately consequent to pesticide application; the second occurs a short period afterward. Thus two distinct PEC (predicted environmental concentration) values were estimated, differing in time. A pilot approach was applied to the herbicide alachlor on corn in Lombardia region (northern Italy) and represents the first stage of a wider project. Although the resultant alachlor PEC and risk maps represent a static image of a worst-case simulation, the main objective was to provide information for the territory with respect to relative risks at the watershed level, which is important in managing risks to the aquatic environment. The driving forces and spatial variability of the above-mentioned processes were investigated to improve knowledge about the territory and to indicate the need for more detailed site-specific studies.
authors: DISAT, Department of the Environment and Landscape Sciences, Milano, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Verro
authors: Maura
authors: M
authors: Calliera
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Maffioli
authors: Domenica
authors: D
authors: Auteri
authors: Serenella
authors: S
authors: Sala
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Finizio
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Vighi
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D007256:Information Systems; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical