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The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2023Intensive agriculture relies on external inputs to reach high productivity and profitability. Plastic mulch, mainly in the form of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), is...
Intensive agriculture relies on external inputs to reach high productivity and profitability. Plastic mulch, mainly in the form of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), is widely used in agriculture to decrease evaporation, increase soil temperature and prevent weeds. The incomplete removal of LDPE mulch after use causes plastic contamination in agricultural soils. In conventional agriculture, the use of pesticides also leaves residues accumulating in soils. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure plastic and pesticide residues in agricultural soils and their effects on the soil microbiome. For this, we sampled soil (0-10 cm and 10-30 cm) from 18 parcels from 6 vegetable farms in SE Spain. The farms were under either organic or conventional management, where plastic mulch had been used for >25 years. We measured the macro- and micro-light density plastic debris contents, the pesticide residue levels, and a range of physiochemical properties. We also carried out DNA sequencing on the soil fungal and bacterial communities. Plastic debris (>100 μm) was found in all samples with an average number of 2 × 10 particles kg and area of 60 cm kg. We found 4-10 different pesticide residues in all conventional soils, for an average of 140 μg kg. Overall, pesticide content was ∼100 times lower in organic farms. The soil microbiomes were farm-specific and related to different soil physicochemical parameters and contaminants. Regarding contaminants, bacterial communities responded to the total pesticide residues, the fungicide Azoxystrobin and the insecticide Chlorantraniliprole as well as the plastic area. The fungicide Boscalid was the only contaminant to influence the fungal community. The wide spread of plastic and pesticide residues in agricultural soil and their effects on soil microbial communities may impact crop production and other environmental services. More studies are required to evaluate the total costs of intensive agriculture.
Topics: Soil; Pesticide Residues; Vegetables; Fungicides, Industrial; Polyethylene; Agriculture; Pesticides; Microbiota
PubMed: 37385505
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165179 -
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces... Sep 2023A multifunctional nanopesticide delivery system is considered to be a novel and efficient tool for controlling pests in modern agriculture. In this study, a mesoporous...
A multifunctional nanopesticide delivery system is considered to be a novel and efficient tool for controlling pests in modern agriculture. In this study, a mesoporous silica nanosheet (H-MSN) carrier for intelligent delivery of pesticides was prepared by the sol-gel method. The prepared H-MSN carrier had obvious hexagonal flat structure, with a specific surface area of 759.9 m/g, a transverse diameter of about 340 nm, a thickness of about 80 nm, and regular channels being perpendicular to the plane. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and sulfhydryl-modified polyethylenimide (PEI-SH) were used to block the insecticide after loading the insecticide imidacloprid (IMI). The introduction of hydrophilic PEI-SH/PEGDA greatly improved the leaf wettability and adhesion ability of H-MSN. The retention amount of IMI@H-MSN@PEI-SH/PEGDA on cucumber and cabbage leaves was up to 46.0 mg/cm and 19.0 mg/cm, respectively. IMI@H-MSN@PEI-SH/PEGDA showed pH- and GSH-responsive release. Compared with pure IMI, IMI entrapped in MSN carriers has favorable biocompatibility and antiphotolytic properties.
Topics: Insecticides; Neonicotinoids; Pesticides
PubMed: 37625097
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01661 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2024There is an urgent need for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly pesticide formulations since common synthetic pesticides result in many adverse effects on... (Review)
Review
There is an urgent need for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly pesticide formulations since common synthetic pesticides result in many adverse effects on human health and the environment. Essential oils (EOs) are a mixture of volatile oils produced as a secondary metabolite in medicinal plants, and show activities against pests, insects, and pathogenic fungi. Their chemical composition is affected by several factors such as plant species or cultivar, geographical origin, environmental conditions, agricultural practices, and extraction method. The growing number of studies related to the herbicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal, and antimicrobial effects of EOs demonstrate their effectiveness and suitability as sustainable and environment-friendly biopesticides. EOs can biodegrade into nontoxic compounds; at the same time, their harmful and detrimental effects on non-target organisms are low. However, few biopesticide formulations based on EOs have been turned into commercial practice upto day. Several challenges including the reduced stability and efficiency of EOs under environmental conditions need to be addressed before EOs are widely applied as commercial biopesticides. This work is an overview of the current research on the application of EOs as biopesticides. Findings of recent studies focusing on the challenges related to the use of EOs as biopesticides are also discussed.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Biological Control Agents; Insecticides; Animals; Herbicides; Pest Control, Biological; Pesticides; Acaricides; Humans
PubMed: 36728841
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2170317 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2023Inefficient usage, overdose, and post-application losses of conventional pesticides have resulted in severe ecological and environmental issues, such as pesticide... (Review)
Review
Inefficient usage, overdose, and post-application losses of conventional pesticides have resulted in severe ecological and environmental issues, such as pesticide resistance, environmental contamination, and soil degradation. Advances in nano-based smart formulations are promising novel methods to decrease the hazardous impacts of pesticide on the environment. In light of the lack of a systematic and critical summary of these aspects, this work has been structured to critically assess the roles and specific mechanisms of smart nanoformulations (NFs) in mitigating the adverse impacts of pesticide on the environment, along with an evaluation of their final environmental fate, safety, and application prospects. Our study provides a novel perspective for a better understanding of the potential functions of smart NFs in reducing environmental pollution. Additionally, this study offers meaningful information for the safe and effective use of these nanoproducts in field applications in the near future.
Topics: Pesticides; Agriculture; Soil; Environmental Pollution; Drug Compounding
PubMed: 37210783
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131599 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Feb 2024The widespread application of pesticides in Morocco's agriculture renders their monitoring in food and environmental samples very necessary. Recent years have witnessed... (Review)
Review
The widespread application of pesticides in Morocco's agriculture renders their monitoring in food and environmental samples very necessary. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in reporting studies related to the monitoring of pesticide residues in food, water, groundwater, and soil as well as their quantitative health risk assessment. Most published studies have been done by university researchers. However, the lack of research reproducibility remains a problem that considerably limits the possibility of exploiting data from the literature. Our study involves an extensive literature review utilizing search engines with keywords like "pesticide residues," "monitoring," "vegetables and fruits," "water and soil," "risk assessment," and "Morocco" from 2009 to 2023. Analysis of pesticide residues in foodstuffs and environmental samples highlights concerns over compliance with EU regulations, the health risks associated with pesticide exposure, and the necessity for comprehensive monitoring and risk assessment strategies. This paper could help influence policies to develop a strategy and action plan for the sound management of pesticides, including measures to reduce their use, raise awareness, and monitor compliance. Also, this paper could be useful for scientists interested in understanding the current situation and challenges regarding pesticide residues in Morocco, as well as countries with which commercial links exist.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Pesticide Residues; Morocco; Reproducibility of Results; Environmental Monitoring; Fruit; Soil; Water
PubMed: 38416294
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12507-3 -
Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam,... Mar 2024The escalating use of pesticides in agriculture for enhanced crop productivity threatens aquatic ecosystems, jeopardizing environmental integrity and human well-being.... (Review)
Review
The escalating use of pesticides in agriculture for enhanced crop productivity threatens aquatic ecosystems, jeopardizing environmental integrity and human well-being. Pesticides infiltrate water bodies through runoff, chemical spills, and leachate, adversely affecting algae, vital primary producers in marine ecosystems. The repercussions cascade through higher trophic levels, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between pesticides, algae, and the broader ecosystem. Algae, susceptible to pesticides via spillage, runoff, and drift, experience disruptions in community structure and function, with certain species metabolizing and bioaccumulating these contaminants. The toxicological mechanisms vary based on the specific pesticide and algal species involved, particularly evident in herbicides' interference with photosynthetic activity in algae. Despite advancements, gaps persist in comprehending the precise toxic effects and mechanisms affecting algae and non-target species. This review consolidates information on the exposure and toxicity of diverse pesticides and herbicides to aquatic algae, elucidating underlying mechanisms. An emphasis is placed on the complex interactions between pesticides/herbicides, nutrient content, and their toxic effects on algae and microbial species. The variability in the harmful impact of a single pesticide across different algae species underscores the necessity for further research. A holistic approach considering these interactions is imperative to enhance predictions of pesticide effects in marine ecosystems. Continued research in this realm is crucial for a nuanced understanding of the repercussions of pesticides and herbicides on aquatic ecosystems, mainly algae.
Topics: Humans; Ecosystem; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Pesticides; Herbicides; Agriculture
PubMed: 38325057
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106851 -
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination... Jul 2023In this paper, several technologies suitable for strawberry crops, such as armyworm boards, tank-mix adjuvants, mist sprayers combined with pesticide reduction, and...
In this paper, several technologies suitable for strawberry crops, such as armyworm boards, tank-mix adjuvants, mist sprayers combined with pesticide reduction, and biostimulant nano-selenium, were comprehensively applied and evaluated. The combined use of 60% etoxazole and bifenazate, bucket mixing additives, nano-selenium, and mist sprayers achieved an 86% prevention effect on red spiders. The prevention effect of pesticides according to the recommended dosage was 91%. Similarly, the disease index of strawberry powdery mildew in the green control group (60% carbendazim, bucket mixing additives, nano-selenium, and mist sprayer) decreased from 33.16 to 11.11, with a decrease of 22.05. The disease index of the control group decreased from 29.69 to 8.06, with a decrease of 21.63. Additionally, the combination of pesticide reduction and nano-selenium significantly improved the antioxidant activity and soluble sugar level of strawberry fruit and reduced water loss during storage. Therefore, the integrated application of green control technologies is beneficial for reducing the amount of chemical pesticides and improving their effectiveness, while enhancing the quality of strawberry fruits in disease and pest control.
Topics: Pesticides; Selenium; Fragaria; Antioxidants; Fruit
PubMed: 37421445
DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03770-0 -
Nature Communications Nov 2023Temporal crop diversification could reduce pesticide use by increasing the proportion of crops with low pesticide use (dilution effects) or enhancing the regulation of...
Temporal crop diversification could reduce pesticide use by increasing the proportion of crops with low pesticide use (dilution effects) or enhancing the regulation of pests, weeds and diseases (regulation effects). Here, we use the French National DEPHY Network to compare pesticide use between 16 main crops (dilution effect) and to assess whether temporal crop taxonomic and functional diversification, as implemented in commercial farms specialized in arable field crops, could explain variability in total pesticide use within 16 main crops (regulation effect). The analyses are based on 14,556 crop observations belonging to 1334 contrasted cropping systems spanning the diversity of French climatic regions. We find that cropping systems with high temporal crop diversity generally include crops with low pesticide use. For several crops, total pesticide use is reduced under higher temporal crop functional diversity, temporal crop taxonomic diversity, or both. Higher cover crop frequency increases total pesticide use through an increase in herbicide use. Further studies are required to identify crop sequences that maximize regulation and dilution effects while achieving other facets of cropping system multiperformance.
Topics: Pesticides; Herbicides; Farms; Plant Weeds; Crops, Agricultural; Agriculture
PubMed: 37973850
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43234-x -
Chemosphere Jan 20242,4-D and fipronil are among Brazil's most used pesticides. The presence of these substances in surface waters is a concern for the aquatic ecosystem health. Thus,...
2,4-D and fipronil are among Brazil's most used pesticides. The presence of these substances in surface waters is a concern for the aquatic ecosystem health. Thus, understanding the behavior of these substances under environmentally relevant conditions is essential for an effective risk assessment. This study aimed to determine the degradation profiles of 2,4-D and fipronil after controlled application in aquatic mesocosm systems under influencing factors such as environmental aspects and vinasse application, evaluate pesticide dissipation at the water-sediment interface, and perform an environmental risk assessment in water and sediment compartments. Mesocosm systems were divided into six different treatments, namely: control (C), vinasse application (V), 2,4-D application (D), fipronil application (F), mixture of 2,4-D and fipronil application (M), and mixture of 2,4-D and fipronil with vinasse application (MV). Pesticide application was performed according to typical Brazilian sugarcane management procedures, and the experimental systems were monitored for 150 days. Pesticide dissipation kinetics was modeled using first-order reaction models. The estimated half-life times of 2,4-D were 18.2 days for individual application, 50.2 days for combined application, and 9.6 days for combined application with vinasse. For fipronil, the respective half-life times were 11.7, 13.8, and 24.5 days. The dynamics of pesticides in surface waters resulted in the deposition of these compounds in the sediment. Also, fipronil transformation products fipronil-sulfide and fipronil-sulfone were quantified in water 21 days after pesticide application. Finally, performed risk assessments showed significant potential risk to environmental health, with RQ values for 2,4-D up to 1359 in freshwater and 98 in sediment, and RQ values for fipronil up to 22,078 in freshwater and 2582 in sediment.
Topics: Ecosystem; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Pesticides; Water; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
PubMed: 37918533
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140569 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Nov 2023Research in the United States evaluating ecotoxic risk to receiving waters posed by contaminants occurring in wastewater discharges typically has focused on measurements...
Research in the United States evaluating ecotoxic risk to receiving waters posed by contaminants occurring in wastewater discharges typically has focused on measurements of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), with limited evaluations of UV filters and phenylpyrazole and neonicotinoid pesticides. In this study, concentrations of 5 representative pharmaceuticals, 11 pesticides or pesticide degradation products, and 5 ultraviolet filters were measured in 24 h composite samples of six wastewater discharges representing ∼70% of the total wastewater discharged to San Francisco Bay during the summer and fall of 2021. No significant difference was observed between concentrations measured on weekdays vs. weekends. A hydrodynamic model of San Francisco Bay was used to estimate annual average dilution factors associated with different subembayments. With and without considering dilution effects, Risk Quotients were calculated using the 90th percentile of measured concentrations in wastewater effluents and threshold concentrations associated with ecotoxicity. Risk Quotients were highest for the neonicotinoid pesticide, imidacloprid, and exceeded ecotoxicity thresholds in the lower South Bay by a factor of 2.4, even when considering dilution. Compared to commonly measured pharmaceuticals, Risk Quotients for imidacloprid were higher than those for carbamazepine, trimethoprim and diclofenac, and comparable to those for propranolol and metoprolol. Risk Quotients for the pesticide, fipronil, and the UV filter, oxybenzone, were higher than for carbamazepine. The results highlight the need to incorporate pesticides and UV filters with high Risk Quotients into studies in the United States evaluating ecotoxic risk associated with contaminants in municipal wastewater discharges.
Topics: Wastewater; Pesticides; San Francisco; Bays; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring; Neonicotinoids; Carbamazepine; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37611792
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122432