Abstract
Contamination of rainwater by pesticides has been investigated by analyzing samples from three locations in Norway: Lista,A˚s, and Tromsø. The samples were taken weekly, when possible, during the periods June–September in 1992 and May–September in 1993. The samples were analyzed for nine pesticides, including the five herbicides MCPA, dichlorprop, atrazine, simazine, and ioxynil (1992), the fungicide propiconazole, and the insecticides lindane (γ-HCH), dimethoate, and cypermethrin (1992). Residues were found in the samples from Lista andA˚s. The samples from Tromsø, however, showed no residues of any pesticide. A total of 520 analyses for Lista andA˚s were performed, and every tenth sample showed measurable residues. The highest concentrations (ng/l) measured for MCPA, dichlorprop, atrazine, and lindane were 320, 250, 86, and 84, respectively. The level of pesticides stated in the EEC-directive 80/778 for the quality of water intended for human consuption is 100 ng/l. This level was exceeded twice for the herbicides MCPA and dichlorprop. On average, total deposition of the pesticides in 1992–1993 was 2.4 times higher atA˚s than at Lista. Atrazine and lindane were often found in precipitation when the wind was blowing from the east. As these chemicals were taken off the market before this investigation began, it seems reasonable to conclude that long-distance transport is the probable cause.
Published Version
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