US EPA

2664254 

Journal Article 

Fate of pesticides in the environment 

Bansal, OP 

2011 

No 

Journal of the Indian Chemical Society
ISSN: 0019-4522 

88 

10 

1525-1532 

English 

WOS:000297381600006 

The inherent bioactivity of agrochemicals demands their conscientious and careful use. As they may pollute the water, soil and air producing undesirable effects on human health, animal health and environment. Such effects may range from growth retardation to physiological or behavioral deficits which substantially affect the most sensitive individual or species, causing ecological changes.



The fate of pesticides introduced into the environment in any way e.g. through an application, a disposal or a spill is influenced by three major processes : adsorption, transfer and degradation.



Pesticide adsorption : Pesticide-adsorption in soil often occurs due to the binding of positively charged pesticide molecules and negatively charged clay particles. Strong attraction of pesticides by soil causes pest control reduction and plant injury by releasing adsorbed pesticide to sensitive rotational crop.



Pesticide transfer : Too much movement of pesticide can lead to reduced pest control, contamination of surface water and ground water and injury of non target species including humans. The transfer of pesticides may occur through : (1) Volatilization, (2) Runoff, (3) Leaching, (4) Absorption or uptake, (5) Crop removal.



Pesticide degradation : There are three types of pesticide degradation viz. (a) Microbial degradation, (b) Chemical degradation, (c) Photodegradation. Pesticides degradation or the breakdown of pesticides is usually considered beneficial. 

Pesticide; degradation; environment; sorption; photodegradation; chemical degradation; microbial degradation