Adsorption-desorption dynamics of cyprodinil and fludioxonil in vineyard soils

Fludioxonil induces cardiotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in two cardiomyocyte models

Fludioxonil (Flu) is a phenylpyrrole fungicide and is currently used in over 900 agricultural products globally. Flu possesses endocrine-disrupting chemical-like properties and has been shown to mediate various physiological and pathological changes, such as apoptosis and differentiation, in diverse cell lines. However, the effects of Flu on cardiomyocytes have not been studied so far. The present study investigated the effects of Flu on mitochondria in AC16 human cardiomyocytes and H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts. Flu decreased cell viability in a water-soluble tetrazolium assay and mediated morphological changes suggestive of apoptosis in AC16 and H9c2 cells. We confirmed that annexin V positive cells were increased by Flu through annexin V/propidium iodide staining. This suggests that the decrease in cell viability due to Flu may be associated with increased apoptotic changes. Flu consistently increased the expression of pro-apoptotic markers such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved-caspase 3. Further, Flu reduced the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in AC16 and H9c2 cells, which is associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as observed through JC-1 staining. In addition, Flu augmented the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which can trigger oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that Flu induces mitochondrial dysregulation in cardiomyocytes via the downregulation of the OCR and MMP and upregulation of the oxidative stress, consequently resulting in the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. This study provides evidence of the risk of Flu toxicity on cardiomyocytes leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases and suggests that the use of Flu in agriculture should be done with caution and awareness of the probable health consequences of exposure to Flu.

Nontarget Discovery of Antimicrobial Transformation Products in Wastewater Based on Molecular Networks

Antimicrobial transformation products (ATPs) in the environment have raised extensive concerns in recent years due to their potential health risks. However, only a few ATPs have been investigated, and most of the transformation pathways of antimicrobials have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we developed a nontarget screening strategy based on molecular networks to detect and identify ATPs in pharmaceutical wastewater. We identified 52 antimicrobials and 49 transformation products (TPs) with a confidence level of three or above. Thirty of the TPs had not been previously reported in the environment. We assessed whether TPs could be classified as persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) substances based on recent European criteria for industrial substances. Owing to poor experimental data, definitive PMT classifications could not be established for novel ATPs. PMT assessment based on structurally predictive physicochemical properties revealed that 47 TPs were potential PMT substances. These results provide evidence that novel ATPs should be the focus of future research.

Pesticide sorption and mitigation efficiency of a detention pond in a Champagne vineyard catchment

Detention ponds (DPs) are used to reduce the pesticide inputs from runoff to surface water. This study aimed to assess the role of the sorption process in the mitigation of a DP made up of four successive units and built at the outlet of a vineyard catchment in Champagne (France) to treat runoff waters. Sorption kinetics and isotherms were studied for four pesticides with contrasting properties, cyazofamid (CYA), fludioxonil (FLX), fluopicolide (FLP) and oryzalin (ORY), in the presence of copper in sediments and four emergent macrophyte roots and rhizomes sampled in the DP units 2 (photodegradation) and 3 (phytoremediation). The adsorption equilibrium time (from 24 to 96 h) was less than the hydraulic residence times in the two units (6 and 18 days on average) between November 2016 and November 2017. Sorption equilibrium could then be reached in situ in 85 % of cases. The K_d coefficients of the four pesticides were overall greater in plant roots (14–6742 L kg⁻¹) than in sediments (6–163 L kg⁻¹) because of their affinity for organic matter and the molecular and porous structure of the plant matrices. Typha latifolia and Iris pseudacorus exhibited greater K_d coefficients than Mentha aquatica and Phragmites australis, probably due to their greater specific surface area. The pesticide adsorption capacity in sediments and in T. latifolia and I. pseudacorus roots (ORY ≥ FLX > CYA > FLP) was linked to their K_ow. The estimated total annual amounts of the four pesticides adsorbed in situ were determined to be 1236 mg for unit 2 and 1570 mg for unit 3. The four plants improved the removal efficiency of the unit 3 by 33%. Thus, the establishment of suitable and effective plants should be promoted to optimize sorption processes and DP efficiency in reducing water pollution.

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Pesticide sorption on various substrates of a vineyard detention pond was assessed.

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The measured equilibrium time was less than the in situ hydraulic residence time.

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Plant roots and rhizomes showed greater pesticide adsorption capacity than sediments.

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Sorption capacity was higher on cattail and iris than on mint and reed.

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Affinity of selected pesticides for roots and sediments was related to their Kow.

Review: Presence, distribution and current pesticides used in Spanish agricultural practices

To guarantee an adequate food supply for the world's growing population, intensive agriculture is necessary to ensure efficient food production. The use of pesticides helps maintain maximum productivity in intensive agriculture by minimizing crop losses due to pests. However, pesticide contamination of surface waters constitutes a major problem as they are resistant to degradation and soluble enough to be transported in water. In recent years, all groups of pesticides defined by the World Health Organization have increased their use and, therefore, their prevalence in the different environmental compartments that can have harmful effects. Despite this effort, there is no rigorous monitoring program that quantifies and controls the toxic effects of each pesticide. However, multiple scientific studies have been published by specialized research groups in which this information is disseminated. Therefore, any attempt to systematize this information is relevant. This review offers a current overview of the presence and distribution of the most widely-used pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides) by crop type and an evaluation of the relationships between their uses and environmental implications in Spain. The data demonstrated that there are correlations between the presence of specific pesticides used in the main crops and their presence in the environmental compartments. We have found preliminary data pointing to existing associations between specific pesticides used in the main crops and their presence in environmental compartments within different geographical areas of Spain; this should be the subject of further investigation.

Assessing pesticide, trace metal, and arsenic contamination in soils and dam sediments in a rapidly expanding horticultural area in Australia

Industrial horticulture can release pesticides and trace metals/metalloids to terrestrial and aquatic environments. To assess long-term and more recent land contamination from an expanding horticultural region, we sampled soils from chemical mixing, crop production, and drainage areas, as well as retention reservoirs (dam) sediments, from 3 blueberry farms with varying land-use history in subtropical Australia. Soils were analysed for 97 different pesticides and trace metal/metalloid contents. The most recent farm had fungicides propiconazole and cyprodinil contents that may compromise soil invertebrate survival and/or nutrient recycling (5-125 mg kg^-1). A site previously used to cultivate bananas had 6 dam sediment subsamples with arsenic contents over sediment quality guidelines (SQG); however, the soil content values were just below Australian health investigation levels (100 mg kg^-1). Arsenic is suspected to originate from pesticide application during previous banana cultivation in the region. Dam sediment cores at all sites had mercury contents over the SQG likely due to fungicides or fertiliser impurities. Mean contents of mercury from dam sediments (141 ± 15.5 µg kg^-1) were greater than terrestrial soils (78 ± 6.5 µg kg^-1), and sediment profiles suggest mercury retention in anoxic sediments. Soils in chemical mixing areas at two sites were contaminated with copper and zinc which were above the national soil ecological investigation levels. Based on toxicity data, distribution, persistence, and mobility, we identified the fungicide cyprodinil, mercury, and phosphorus as contaminants of the greatest concern in this intensive horticulture area of Australia. Additional sampling (spatial, chemical speciation, biotic) is required to support mitigation efforts of the emerging contamination in the rapidly expanding blueberry farms of this region of Australia.

Agricultural mulching and fungicides-impacts on fungal biomass, mycotoxin occurrence, and soil organic matter decomposition

Plastic and straw coverage (PC and SC) are often combined with fungicide application but their influence on fungicide entry into soil and the resulting consequences for soil quality are still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of PC and SC, combined with fungicide application, on soil residual concentrations of fungicides (fenhexamid, cyprodinil, and fludioxonil), soil fungal biomass, mycotoxin occurrence, and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, depending on soil depth (0-10, 10-30, 30-60 cm) and time (1 month prior to fungicide application and respectively 1 week, 5 weeks, and 4 months afterwards). Soil analyses comprised fungicides, fusarium mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, and zearalenone), ergosterol, soil microbial carbon and nitrogen, soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and pH. Fludioxonil and cyprodinil concentrations were higher under SC than under PC 1 week and 5 weeks after fungicide application (up to three times in the topsoil) but no differences were observed anymore after 4 months. Fenhexamid was not detected, presumably because of its fast dissipation in soil. The higher fludioxonil and cyprodinil concentrations under SC strongly reduced the fungal biomass and shifted microbial community towards larger bacterial fraction in the topsoil and enhanced the abundance and concentration of deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol 5 weeks after fungicide application. Independent from the different fungicide concentrations, the decomposition of SOM was temporarily reduced after fungicide application under both coverage types. However, although PC and SC caused different concentrations of fungicide residues in soil, their impact on the investigated soil parameters was minor and transient (< 4 months) and hence not critical for soil quality.

Indirect photodegradation of fludioxonil by hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen in aquatic environment: Mechanism, photoproducts formation and eco-toxicity assessment

Fludioxonil has been proven valuable as a broad-spectrum fungicide. However, there are concerns about its risk posed to non-target organisms in aquatic environments. In this paper, the mechanism, photoproducts transformation and eco-toxicity of fludioxonil during •OH/¹O₂-initiated process were systematically studied using quantum chemistry and computational toxicology. The results indicate that the two favorable pathways of •OH/¹O₂-initiated reactions are both occurred in pyrrole ring. It can conclude that the rate constants of •OH and ¹O₂ are 1.23 × 10¹⁰ and 3.69 × 10⁷ M^-1 s^-1 at 298K, respectively, which results in half-lives of <2 days in surface waters under sunlit near-surface conditions. Based on toxicity assessments, these photoproducts showed a decreased aquatic toxicity but the majority products are still toxic. This study gives more insight into the chemical transformation mechanism of fludioxonil in aquatic environments.

Assessing residual status and spatial variation of current-use pesticides under the influence of environmental factors in major cash crop growing areas of Pakistan

The status of seven currently used pesticides were assessed under the influence of soil parameters in surface soils of cash crop growing areas of Pakistan. Chlorpyrifos occurred in highest mean concentration (1.18 mg kg^-1). Selected pesticides exhibited higher affinity towards both organic carbon and black carbon fractions. The δ¹³C stable carbon isotopic fraction of inorganic carbon was also used as a tracer and disclosed high retention of total organic carbon in Swat and Swabi sites. Statistical analysis revealed that carbon storage was primarily influenced by altitude and temperature. Soil clay mineral oxides of aluminum and iron positively correlated with organic carbon and selected pesticides (chlorpyrifos and cyprodinil). Soil to plant bio-concentration ratios predicted heightened uptake of azinfos and diazinon in major cash crop bio mass. Occupational risk via soil ingestion expressed no significant threat to the farmer community.

Simultaneous determination of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil under field conditions by gas chromatography/tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and soil samples. These samples were extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile and purified using a mixed primary secondary amine/octadecylsilane sorbent. The method showed good linearity (R²  > 0.99) in the calibration range 0.005-2 μg/mL for both pesticides. The limits of detection and quantification for the two analytes in grape and soil were 0.006 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Fungicide recoveries in grape and soil were 81.18-92.11% for boscalid and 82.73-97.67% for fludioxonil with relative standard deviations of 1.31-10.31%. The established method was successfully applied to the residual analysis of boscalid and fludioxonil in real grape and soil samples. The terminal residue concentrations of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape samples collected from Anhui and Guizhou were <5 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by China) 7 days after the last application and 1 mg/kg (the maximum residue limit set by USA) 14 days after the last application. These results could provide guidance for the proper and safe use of boscalid and fludioxonil in grape and help the Chinese government to establish an MRL for fludioxonil in grape.

Determination and analysis of the dissipation and residue of cyprodinil and fludioxonil in grape and soil using a modified QuEChERS method

A simple and accurate method coupled with a gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorus detector was developed to detect cyprodinil and fludioxonil in grape and soil. The accuracy and precision of the method in detecting the two fungicides were evaluated by conducting intra- and inter-day recovery experiments. The limits of detection were 0.017 mg/kg for cyprodinil and 0.030 mg/kg for fludioxonil. The limits of quantitation were 0.05 mg/kg for cyprodinil and 0.10 mg/kg for fludioxonil in grape and soil. The recoveries of the fungicides in grape and soil were investigated at three spiked levels and were found to range from 85.81 to 102.94% for cyprodinil and from 92.00 to 106.86% for fludioxonil, with relative standard deviations below 7%. Field experiments were conducted in two experimental locations in China. The half-lives of cyprodinil were 9.6-20.8 days in grape and 5.8-15.6 day in soil, and the half-lives of fludioxonil were 6.2-7.2 days in grape and 6.0-12.1 days in soil. When the cyprodinil and fludioxonil 62% water-dispersible granule formulation was sprayed at a low dosage three times, terminal residues of cyprodinil and fludioxonil were below 1.0 mg/kg in grape 14 days after harvest. This work may serve as a reference to establish the maximum residue limits for cyprodinil and fludioxonil in grape and promote the proper and safe use of these two fungicides.

Cyprodinil retention on mixtures of soil and solid wastes from wineries. Effects of waste dose and ageing

In spite of its wide-world economic relevance, wine production generates a huge amount of waste that threatens the environment. A batch experiment was designed to assess the effect of the amendment of an agricultural soil with two winery wastes (perlite and bentonite wastes) in the immobilization of cyprodinil. Waste addition (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha(-1)) and different times of incubation of soil-waste mixtures (1, 30, and 120 days) were tested. The addition of wastes improved the soil's ability to immobilize cyprodinil, which was significantly correlated to total C content in soil-waste mixtures. Longer incubation times decreased the cyprodinil sorption possibly due to the mineralization of organic matter but also as a consequence of the high pH values reached after bentonite waste addition (up to 10.0). Cyprodinil desorption increased as the amount of waste added to soil, and the incubation time increased. The use of these winery wastes contributes to a more sustainable agriculture preventing fungicide mobilization to groundwater.

Influence of soil copper content on the kinetics of thiram adsorption and on thiram leachability from soils

This work aimed to assess the influence of soil copper content on the sorption processes of thiram, a fungicide widely used in agriculture, most of the times together with copper. Two different types of studies were performed: (1) desorption studies of thiram with acetonitrile after batch adsorption equilibration, and ageing of the wet soil for a variable period of time; (2) kinetic studies of thiram adsorption performed using the soil in its original form and after fortification with copper ions. In the desorption studies, with the increase of the ageing time, a decrease of the thiram peak and a simultaneous increase of a new peak, assigned to a copper complex, were observed in the chromatograms. This new peak increases sharply until an ageing period of about 4d and then this area is maintained approximately constant until 18 d, the maximum ageing period studied. These results indicate that thiram reacts with copper ions along time giving rise to the formation of relatively persistent copper complexes in soil. Desorption studies with CaCl(2) 0.01 M solution showed that this complex is not extracted. Thus, it is not easily leached to ground and surface waters and copper may contribute to thiram immobilization in soil. The kinetic studies of thiram adsorption were performed in both soils and for two initial thiram concentrations (~7 and 20 mg L(-1)). For the soil fortified with copper the percentage of adsorbed thiram is higher than observed for the original soil at the same initial concentrations and equilibration times and 100% of adsorption is attained in 15 h or 48 h, depending on the thiram initial concentration. Four kinetic equations, the pseudo first- and second-order equations, the Elovich and the intraparticle diffusion equations were selected to fit the kinetic data of the adsorption process of thiram onto both original and fortified soil. The best model to describe the kinetics of thiram adsorption onto the original soil is the intraparticle diffusion model. For the soil fortified with copper ions we verified that for the highest initial thiram concentration, the best model is also the intraparticle diffusion model, however, for the lower initial thiram concentration the best model is the pseudo second-order kinetic equation, suggesting that, for a high Cu:Thi ratio, a chemical reaction of thiram with copper ions on the soil surface can occur, and it may be the rate controlling step. Since the kinetics of adsorption depends on both soil copper content and the initial thiram concentration in solution, i.e. depends on Cu:Thi ratio, it is difficult to choose a fixed batch equilibration time for adsorption studies of thiram.

Influence of the adjuvants in a commercial formulation of the fungicide "Switch" on the adsorption of their active ingredients: cyprodinil and fludioxonil, on soils devoted to vineyard

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of adjuvants in the sorption in soils of the fungicides, cyprodinil and fludioxonil, usually applied together in a mixture commonly called 'Switch'. Water suspensions of a commercial formulation of Switch were used in phase partition experiments for a set of selected soils from vineyards. A clean-up procedure of the supernatant was developed for the phase separation in presence of the adjuvants prior to quantification of cyprodinil and fludioxonil. The maximum sorption on the solid phase (which includes soil and other solids from the commercial formulation of Switch) was 2000 mg kg(-1) for fludioxonil and 3000 mg kg(-1) for cyprodinil after incubation with 800 mg L(-1) of Switch. However, adsorption to soil particles were lower; fludioxonil concentrations adsorbed in soils range from 50 to 80 mg kg(-1) of soil and cyprodinil concentrations range from 120 to 260 mg kg(-1) of soil. Adjuvants increased the solubility of fludioxonil in pure water at 25 °C up to 5 times that of the pure substance (from 1.8 to 9 mg L(-1) in control samples), and show a strong influence on the adsorption in soil. Soil pH, effective cation exchange capacity and copper content due to past anti fungal copper-based sprays, have also influence on the adsorption of the active ingredients in presence of adjuvants.

Mobilization and plant accumulation of prometryne in soil by two different sources of organic matter

Prometryne is a selective herbicide of the s-triazine chemical family. Due to its weak absorption onto soil, it readily leaches down through the soil and contaminates underground water. Application of organic manure to soil has become a widespread practice as a disposal strategy to improve soil properties. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of pig manure compost (PMC) and lake-bed sludge (SL) on the sorption/desorption, mobility and bioavailability of prometryne in soil using comprehensive analysis approaches. Downward movement of prometryne was monitored in the packed soil column. Addition of PMC or SL decreased considerably the mobility and total concentration of prometryne in the soil leachate. Bioavailability analyses with wheat plants revealed that addition of the organic matter reduced accumulation of prometryne in tissues and increased plant elongation and biomass. These results indicate that the organic amendments are effective in modifying adsorption and mobility of the pesticide in soil.

Effect of incoming and outgoing exchangeable anions on the release kinetics of phenoxyherbicides nanohybrids

The release of chlorophenoxyherbicides agrochemicals, namely 2-chloro- (2CPA), 4-chloro and 2,4,5-trichloro (TCPA) phenoxyacetates from their nanohybrids into various aqueous solutions; carbonate, sulfate and chloride was found to be controlled by pseudo-second order rate expression. The percentage saturated released was found to be anionic-dependent, in the order of carbonate>sulfate>chloride for the release media and 2CPA>4CPA>TCPA for the anionic guests. This study demonstrates that the release of the phenoxyherbicides agrochemicals from the nanohybrid compounds can be tuned by choosing the right combination of exchangeable anions both the incoming and the outgoing anions.

Competitive and non-competitive adsorption/desorption of paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat in vineyard-devoted soils

Mobility of agrochemicals in soils plays an important role in the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment. Competitive and non-competitive sorption experiments of three ammonium quaternary herbicides (paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat) onto eight vineyard soils was measured in batch experiments. Non-competitive experiments show that paraquat (PQ) is the most strongly adsorbed (70-97% of added PQ) followed by diquat (DQ) and difenzoquat (DFQ). The best fits were obtained with the Freundlich equation. In competitive experiments with variable mole ratios, it was found a large influence between the divalent cationic herbicides PQ and DQ, and between them and the monovalent herbicide DFQ, but DFQ did only show a scarce influence on PQ and DQ sorption. Desorption of herbicides into CaCl(2) showed very low values: around 11, 19 and 31% for, respectively, PQ, DQ and DFQ. In order to assess the ability of herbicides to displace others, desorption experiments were carried out by replacing Cl(2)Ca by any of the other two herbicides. In this case, the highest percentage of desorption was obtained when DFQ was desorbed with PQ (>72%) and DQ (>73%), but also when PQ was used to desorb DQ (100%) and vice versa (100%).

Solarization and biosolarization enhance fungicide dissipation in the soil

Although there is some evidence regarding the effect of solarization and biosolarization on pesticide degradation, information is still scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of these disinfection techniques on the degradation of eight fungicides (azoxystrobin, kresoxin methyl, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, triadimenol, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil and fludioxonil) commonly used in pepper crops under greenhouse cultivation. Seventy-five 17-L pots filled with clay-loam soil were placed in a greenhouse during the summer season and then contaminated with the studied fungicides. Treatments consisted of different disinfection treatments, including a control without disinfection, solarization and biosolarization. For the solarization and biosolarization treatments, low-density polyethylene film was used as cover. Five pots per treatment were sampled periodically up to 90d after the beginning of each treatment and fungicide residues were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that both solarization and biosolarization enhanced fungicide dissipation rates with regard to the control treatment, an effect which was attributed to the increased soil temperature. Most of the fungicides studied showed similar behavior under solarization and biosolarization conditions. However, triadimenol was degraded to a greater extent in the biosolarization than in the solarization treatment, while fludioxonil behaved in the opposite way. The results confirm that both solarization and biosolarization contribute to pesticide dissipation and can therefore be considered alongside other soil disinfection techniques, as a bioremediation tool for pesticide-polluted soils.

Contamination of vineyard soils with fungicides: a review of environmental and toxicological aspects

The contamination of agricultural soils with inorganic (Cu-based) and organic pesticides (including their residues) presents a major environmental and toxicological concern. This review summarizes available studies published on the contamination of vineyard soils throughout the world with Cu-based and synthetic organic fungicides. It focuses on the behavior of these contaminants in vineyard soils and the associated environmental and toxicological risks. The concentrations of Cu in soils exceed the legislative limits valid in the EU in the vast majority of the studied vineyards. Regarding the environmental and toxicological hazards associated with the extensive use of fungicides, the choice of fungicides should be performed carefully according to the physico-chemical properties of the soils and climatic and hydrogeological characteristics of the vine-growing regions.

Mobility of prometryne in soil as affected by dissolved organic matter

Incorporation of organic fertilizers/amendments in soils has been, and will continue to be, a popular strategy for improving the quality of arable soils. However, the mechanism by which the dissolved organic matters (DOMs) affect soil properties or interact with other substances in soils is largely unknown. In this study, a batch equilibrium experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of two types of DOMs on the behavior of prometryne (a herbicide) in soils. Two sorts of DOMs were derived from lakebed sludge (SL) and rice straw (ST), respectively. The results show that sorption capacity in one soil for prometryne was significantly reduced by application of DOMs, whereas desorption of prometryne was promoted by DOM treatments. To understand the mobility behavior of prometryne in soils with DOMs, a column leaching experiment was carried out. It is shown that both DOMs enhanced the solubility and migration of prometryne in soils. To confirm the role of DOMs in regulating the mobility of prometryne in soils, a soil thin-layer chromatography was performed. The migration of prometryne was promoted by DOMs, which were used as a developing solvent or directly incorporated in the soil thin layer. The data indicate that DOM extracts can modify the mobility of prometryne in soil.

Seasonal distributions of fungicides in soils and sediments of a small river basin partially devoted to vineyards

The acid soils of Ourense province riverland (Galicia, NW Spain) produce about 50,000 tons of grapes for winemaking. As part of ongoing investigations into fungicide transport in Ourense vineyard soils, the occurrence of several fungicides in such soils was investigated. Soil samples were collected from the inter-row topsoil of a vineyard adjacent to the River Alongos, approximately 15 km SW of the main city of Ourense. The vines were grown in sandy loam with moderate organic carbon (OC) content (1-2%). Fungicide residues were measured in vineyard soils and river sediments by solid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MSD). Procymidone and cyprodinil occurred at higher levels in river sediments than in the case of fludioxonil, metalaxyl and penconazole. The highest concentrations of procymidone in sediments were still low (29-57 microg/kg or ppb) suggesting that no accumulation of these compounds occur. All of them were found at higher concentrations in soil; maxima concentrations were about 1000 microg/kg for procymidone and metalaxyl, and about 400 microg/kg for cyprodinil, fludioxonil and penconazole. Folpet was never detected (detection limit lower than 2 microg/kg) in soil and sediments, suggesting that this fungicide was unstable in such samples. The frequency of fungicide detections in soils can be related to their applications in vineyards and the effect of washing off through vineyard canopy by rainfalls. The results found suggest that the vineyard soils of this region are unlikely to be prone to transport of fungicides, and therefore water supplies in this area are unlikely to be at any significant risk of contamination through viticultural use of these compounds.