Using grassed strips to limit pesticide transfer to surface water: a review

Abstract

Grassed buffer strips are one way to reduce pesticide transfer by surface runoff from farmed fields to streams. Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that this type of development is very effective in various conditions. The results are nevertheless very variable. This variability is partially explained by the multiplicity of processes and contributive factors and by the fact that the latter are dynamic in nature and site-specific. Several results also show that the intercepted products are not systematically immobilized within the strip but can move in the subsurface, thus affecting the overall effectiveness of the system. As a consequence of this complexity, the present guidelines for the sizing and siting of grassed strips are still only qualitative or are the result of empirical approaches. The present review analyses the available results and defines needs for further research. This concerns several basic processes determining the pesticide interception by grassed strips and numerical models necessary to integrate the complexity of interacting processes and formulate reliable managing guidelines.

Ecological and physiological effects of soil management practices on earthworm communities in French vineyards

“…Generally, in contrast to chemically weeded soils, grassed zones are reported to provide a great source of organic matter, and protection against predators for living organisms in agricultural soils, and they also limit pesticide transfer to surface waters in vineyards [4]. By contrast, as reported by Düring et al [8], several soil tillage applications could be responsible for pollutant enrichment.…”

“…In addition, these compounds can easily transfer to soil horizons, impacting on living organisms. Furthermore, soil management practices in vineyards may change soil parameters, such as structure, aeration, humidity, water infiltration, pesticide mobility and the transfer to sub-surface water, as well as the bioavailability of these pollutants to soil organisms [3,4].…”

Potentiometric examination of ternary complexes of 2,4-D and 2,4-MCPA, components of a weedkiller, with Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+and Zn2+, and a quantum approach to their structures

“…During the last years, it has been noticed that the increasing use of pesticides in soils used forcultivation causes pollution of the aqueous system by infiltration of irrigation or rainwater (Younes et al, 2000;Lacas et al, 2005). Studies on the adsorption of certain phenoxyacetic acids, derived from pesticides, in soils in the area of Souss-Massa (Morocco) were carried out in our laboratory (Belmouden et al, 2000;Belmouden et al, 2001).…”

It's sedimentary, my dear Watson : implications of watershed processes on the sediment fingerprinting approach

“…In some cases, the movement of sediment and water through riparian zones is circumvented through surface and subsurface drains. While the characteristics of the upland areas will determine the quantity, properties and pathways of sediment being delivered, the riparian zone -through the processes of infiltration, immobilization, sedimentation and dilution -tends to attenuate, buffer, distort and intercept the flow of this material (both dissolved and particulate) to the aquatic environment (Lacas et al 2005;Owens et al 2007;McGuire and McDonnell 2010). Because of this, the riparian zone is of particular interest in terms of the effects it is likely to have on the conservative behaviour of sediment and associated fingerprints.…”

“…The riparian zone has a number of processes, including infiltration, immobilization, sedimentation and dilution, that act to buffer and intercept the flow of both dissolved and particulate material to the aquatic environment (Lacas et al 2005;Owens et al 2007;McGuire and McDonnell 2010). Because of these properties, the retention or installation of riparian zones (also referred to as buffers, vegetated buffer strips or vegetative filter strips) along streams is a common best management practice used in agricultural regions to moderate stream temperatures, stabilize stream banks and reduce the amount of sediment-and nutrient-rich agricultural runoff entering surface waterways (Dillaha et al 1989;Dorioz et al 2006).…”