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Persistence of pesticides in water from farm plots recently converted to organic farming

SCHRACK, D. ; COQUIL, X. ; ORTAR, A. and BENOIT, M. (2009) Persistence of pesticides in water from farm plots recently converted to organic farming. [Rémanence des pesticides dans les eaux issues de parcelles agricoles récemment converties à l’Agriculture Biologique.] Carrefours de l'Innovation Agronomique, 4, pp. 259-268.

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Document available online at: http://www.inra.fr/ciag/revue_innovations_agronomiques/volume_4_janvier_2009


Summary

In Europe, the pervasive use of pesticides in agricultural areas has led to the deterioration of the quality of groundwater and surface water, resources earmarked for human consumption. The aim of the European Water Framework Directive 91/474 is to restore the “good ecological status” of surface water and to protect water that might be used for drinking water production by 2015. Interactions within the soil determine the fate of environmental pesticides. Water resource contamination may persist for a long time after the last use of pesticides (i.e., atrazine). Pesticide persistence is highly variable. The fate and persistence of pesticides in the environment depend on agricultural pesticide practices and on soil interactions, which are interrelated physical, chemical and biological processes that are often sitespecific. This study, which is taking place at INRA’s Mirecourt Experimental Station in the Lorraine region of France, will make it possible to evaluate the persistence and environmental resilience of pesticides in water from plots recently converted to organic farming, within the framework of the WFD. A database includes all pesticide practices from 1969 to 2004, the year of the last treatment. It is hoped that the Mirecourt study, five years after the end of pesticide use, will shed light on the long-term persistence of pesticides in water resources.


Summary translation

L’utilisation importante des produits phytosanitaires en agriculture a engendré la contamination des eaux superficielles et souterraines qui constituent les ressources destinées à la consommation humaine. La Directive Cadre Européenne 91/474 impose une obligation de résultats : un retour à un bon état écologique d’ici à 2015. Les interactions complexes au sein du sol immobilisent les pesticides et influencent ainsi leurs transferts vers les eaux de surface qui peuvent entraîner une contamination durable. La persistance des pesticides apparaît très variable. Les études portant sur la dégradation et la persistance des pesticides sont nombreuses, mais peu les évaluent à long terme. L’installation expérimentale (240 ha) de l’unité de recherche INRA ASTER de Mirecourt a été convertie depuis 2004, et certifiée conforme au cadre règlementaire de l’agriculture biologique en septembre 2006. L’étude de la persistance des pesticides dans les eaux issues de parcelles agricoles suite à la conversion permettra d’évaluer la durée de cette rémanence, et la capacité de résilience des milieux.

EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:agricultural practices; water quality; persistence; surface water.
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Environmental aspects > Air and water emissions
Research affiliation: France > INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Related Links:http://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/dinabio/
Deposited By: PENVERN, Servane
ID Code:15492
Deposited On:02 Mar 2009
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:39
Document Language:French/Francais
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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