Field Assessment of Naled and Its Primary Degradation Product (Dichlorvos) in Aquatic Ecosystems Following Aerial Ultra-low Volume Application for Mosquito Control

Abstract

Naled, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied aerially at ultra-low volumes over aquatic ecosystems near Sacramento, California, USA, during summer months for mosquito control. Two ecosystem types (rice fields and a flowing canal) were sampled in 2020 and 2021. Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) were measured in water, biofilm, grazer macroinvertebrates, and omnivore/predator macroinvertebrates (predominantly crayfish). Maximum naled and dichlorvos concentrations detected in water samples one day after naled application were 287.3 and 5647.5 ng/L, respectively, which were above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s aquatic life benchmarks for invertebrates. Neither compound was detected in water more than one day after the application. Dichlorvos, but not naled, was detected in composite crayfish samples up to 10 days after the last aerial application. Detections in water from the canal showed that the compounds were transported downstream of the target application area. Factors such as vector control flight paths, dilution, and transport through air and water likely affected concentrations of naled and dichlorvos in water and organisms from these aquatic ecosystems. Graphical Abstract

Microbial Diversity and Enzyme Activity as Indicators of Permethrin-Exposed Soil Health

“…It has been registered by EPA since 1979, and is sold in many products, e.g., for fogging and pest control. The EPA report (2023) states that permethrin is used over an area of 39 million acres in the USA to control mosquitoes [ 1 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. According to the data displayed on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, permethrin is most often used in the urban landscape [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”