Pesticide occurrence in Irish groundwater

Abstract

Groundwater pesticide occurrence was investigated within agricultural catchments and at the national scale across Ireland. Seven intensive agricultural catchments were selected, each with different physical characteristics representing common scenarios within Ireland. Six catchments were dominated by arable farming and one by grassland. At each site monitoring points were installed to target groundwater at different depths. Springs, drains, and streams were also monitored where present, to gain insight into potential pesticide transport pathways. Groundwater was sampled monthly between March 2010 to March 2012, using low-flow purging methods. Water quality parameters were measured in-situ and samples collected for both physico-chemical variables and pesticide analysis.