Environmental assessment of pesticides in the Mondego River Estuary (Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Cruzeiro, C (Author) Other; rocha, e (Author) ICBAS; Pardal, MA (Author) Other; rocha, mj (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Marine Pollution Bulletin

Vol. 103

Pages: 240-246

ISSN: 0025-326X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 36 Citations

Scopus - 40 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-8EX

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.013

Abstract (EN): The Mondego River estuary, located on the North Atlantic Ocean Ecoregion, is a basin affected by agricultural runoff with increasing signs of eutrophication. We evaluated the amounts and distribution of 56 priority pesticides belonging to distinct categories (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides). Temporal trends were considered and a total of 42 surface water samples were collected between 2010 and 2011. More than 55% of the GC-MS/MSquantified pesticides were above the maximum amounts established by the European Directives (98/83/EC and 2013/39/EU). Based on the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models, we used a two-tiered approach to assess the hazard of the pesticide mixture, at the maximum concentration found, reflecting a potential risk. Short-term exposure using Artemia salina indicated a significant toxic effect where the locomotion of the animals was clearly affected.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7