Buffer zones for reducing pesticide drift to ditches and risks to aquatic organisms

G. R. de Snoo, P. J. de Wit

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

106 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pesticide drift from field sprayers fitted with different types of spray nozzles was investigated under various wind speed conditions. Droplet drift was measured adjacent to the sprayed field, on the ditch bank, and in the ditch. Measurements were carried out in the normal sprayed situation and with an unsprayed buffer zone 3 or 6 m aide. The results indicate that there are major differences between spray nozzles. Drift deposition increases,vith wind speed. In the sprayed situation and with a,wind speed of 0.5 m/s, there was a maximum of 6.0% drift deposition halfway down the ditch bank and no drift deposition in the ditch. At 3 m/s wind speed these figures are 25.1 and 2.2%, respectively. At 5 m/s wind speed, 7.2% drift deposition was measured in the ditch. Risk assessment (cf. SLOOTBOX model) carried out with 17 pesticides used in the study area indicated that at this sind speed, 8 of the 17 pesticides investigated posed a risk to aquatic organisms. Creation of a 3-m buffer zone decreases drift deposition in the ditch by a minimum of 95%, Adjacent to the buffer zone only 4 of the 17 pesticides investigated posed a (minor) risk to aquatic organisms. With a 6-m buffer zone no drift deposition in the ditch could be measured (wind speed maximum, 4.5 m/s). Creating unsprayed crop edges offers good possibilities for the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Socioeconomic research among farmers indicates that buffer zones, such as unsprayed cereal edges and unsprayed grass strips, could well be adopted in agricultural practice. (C) 1998 Academic Press
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)112-118
Number of pages7
JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • pesticides drift ditches buffer zones risk assessment herbicide spray drift conservation interest larvae insecticides lepidoptera bioassays Environmental Sciences & Ecology Toxicology

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