Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Pesticide R esidues in the Atmosphere
Teresa Vera Espallardo, Amalia Muñoz, and José Luis Palau
CONTENTS
7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 203
7.2 The Atmosphere................................................................................................................. 204
7.2.1 Structure of the Atmosphere................................................................................ 206
7.2.2 Meteorological Scales ............................................................................................ 206
7.3 Entry of Pesticides into the Atmosphere ........................................................................ 207
7.3.1 Entry During Application .................................................................................... 208
7.3.2 Volatilization from Soils ....................................................................................... 209
7.3.3 Volatilization from Plants ..................................................................................... 212
7.3.4 Volatilization from Water ..................................................................................... 213
7.4 Assessment of the Concentrations of Pesticides in the Atmosphere.......................... 213
7.4.1 Pesticides in the Air............................................................................................... 217
7.4.2 Pesticides in Rainwater ......................................................................................... 218
7.4.3 Measurements of Persistent Organic Pollutants ............................................... 218
7.5 Fate in the Atmosphere ..................................................................................................... 221
7.5.1 Degradation in Air................................................................................................. 222
7.5.2 Dry and Wet Deposition ....................................................................................... 224
7.5.3 Transport................................................................................................................. 224
References..................................................................................................................................... 227
7.1 Introduction
Pesticides are one of the most important chemical groups in use worldwide. The term
pesticide includes herbicides—to prevent the growth of unwanted plants, fungicides—to
eliminate or inhibit fungi, and insecticides—to control pests that infest crops and plants.
Although pesticides have been used for centuries, their use has increased drastically in
the last 50 years as a consequence of intensive agricultural techniques. Because the control
of plagues and diseases in crops and farms is currently viewed as very important for the
economic development of a country, the use of pesticides in crops and cultivated plants
could be regarded as one of the main factors contributing to the increased agricultural
productivity in the last century. Nevertheless, this intensive use can imply significant con-
tamination not only of the application areas but also of other remote areas. The contamina-
tion can affect soil and water resources and even the atmosphere.
The intensive use of pesticides has led to a great number of studies about their risks
with respect to human health and toxicity to other plants, animals, and the environment
(Wilson et al. 2007; Lopez-Espinosa et al. 2008; Burns et al. 2008).
203
 
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