Agricultural pesticide residues in farm ditches of the Lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada.
Transient and permanent farm ditches flowing to the Lower Fraser River tributary fish streams of British Columbia, Canada, were sampled at several locations in 2003-2004 to determine the occurrence and concentration of residues of selected pesticides, their transformation products, and soluble/extractable Cu++ ions. Of the 43 compounds analyzed, 28 and 22 pesticides were detected in transient farm ditch water and sediments, respectively. About 34% fewer pesticides, however, were found in both matrices of permanent farm ditches. Average concentrations (microg L(-1)) of those most frequently detected in permanent farm ditch water were atrazine (0.20), alpha -chlordane (0.06), desethylatrazine (0.13), diazinon (0.55), dieldrin (0.28), endosulfan sulfate (0.16), glyphosate (6), metalaxyl (0.27); and soluble Cu++ ions (25). Those most often found in ditch sediments (microg kg(-1)) were aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) (2,300), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) (250), endosulfan sulfate (500), glyphosate (1,225); and extractable Cu++ ions (58,000). The risk potential of these pesticide residues to non-target aquatic organisms inhabiting Fraser River tributary fish streams contiguous to permanent farm ditches is evaluated and discussed.
Wan
Michael T
MT
Environmental Stewardship Branch, Commercial Chemicals Division and Environmental Emergencies, Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. MTW-Consulting@shaw.ca
Kuo
Jen-ni
JN
McPherson
Brad
B
Pasternak
John
J
D000383:Agriculture; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D010573:Pesticide Residues; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical