Fate of Pesticides in the Environment and its Bioremediation

Abstract

The present paper is an overview of the presence and fate of pesticides as persistent organic pollutants in the environment as well as of the potential for their detoxification, also combined with chemical and physical treatment. It contains information gathered from a range of currently available sources. The fate of pesticides in the environment is analyzed considering the processes that determine their persistence and mobility, grouped into transport, transfer and transformation processes. Few pesticide characteristics such as persistence, mobility and biodegradability are emphasized. The fate of a pesticide and the potential for its persistence and mobility from the site of application are considered to be affected by the chemical and physical properties of the pesticide, site characteristics such as soil and groundwater individuality, climate and local weather conditions, biological population, and the handling practices of the pesticide user. Bioremediation, as one of the most environmentally‐sound and cost‐effective methods for the decontamination and detoxification of a pesticide‐contaminated environment is discussed especially considering the factors affecting the biodegradability of pesticides such as biological factors and the characteristics of the chemical compounds. In situ and ex situ bioremediation as possible types of bioremediation activities are weighted up. Also, the paper includes some considerations for developing strategies regarding the choice of bioremediation technology, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the bioremediation of environmental components polluted with pesticides.

Organic xenobiotics removal in constructed wetlands, with emphasis on the importance of the support matrix

“…In fact, a lot of different organic compounds are currently used in the daily life of human beings or result from human activities and many of these are frequently being detected in numerous environmental monitoring studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Pollution of soils and surface or ground waters occurs as a result of both point and diffuse sources, the improper use and disposal or accidental release of chemicals into the environment.…”

“…Over the last decades increasing attention is being turned to a set of harmful organic chemicals mostly composed of xenobiotics [4][5][6]. Most of these pollutants are chemical substances that persist in the environment, can bioaccumulate throughout the food chain, and may be toxic to biotic communities, thus posing a risk to human health and the environment [5][6][7]12].…”

“…Most of these pollutants are chemical substances that persist in the environment, can bioaccumulate throughout the food chain, and may be toxic to biotic communities, thus posing a risk to human health and the environment [5][6][7]12]. The list of such organic xenobiotics includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene), petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated solvents, explosives, dyes, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, phenolic compounds and pesticides [1,[3][4][5][6][7]12]. Many of these substances can be transported over long distances, can be distributed into different compartments of the environment, and also undergo a variety of reactions and transformations [5].…”

Gas Chromatography in Environmental Sciences and Evaluation of Bioremediation

“…The contaminated soil can be treated by bioremediation in situ or ex situ. As a natural cleaning process, bioremediation has been proven to be efficient in the removal of crude oil and oil derivatives (Ollivier & Magot, 2005), chlorinated solvents (Bamforth & Singleton, 2005;Gavrilescu, 2005), and even some heavy metals (Seidel, 2004).…”

Organophosphorous Pesticides - Mechanisms of Their Toxicity

“…Pesticides are a very important group of environmental pollutants used in intensive agriculture for protection against diseases and pests. The estimated annual application is more than 4 million tons, but only 1% of this reaches the target pests (Gavrilescu, 2005). Functionwise they are divided into herbicides (protection against weeds), insecticides (against insects), fungicides (against fungi), and others.…”