Water Pollution and Agriculture Pesticide

Abstract

The agricultural industry uses substantial amounts of water (the highest in the world) mostly for irrigation purposes. Rapid population growth and, consequently, growing demand for food have increased the use of pesticide to have higher yield for crops and other agricultural products. Wastewater generated as a result of excessive use of pesticides/herbicides in agricultural industry is becoming a global issue specifically in developing countries. Over 4,000,000 tons of pesticides are currently used in the world annually and high concentrations above their threshold limits have been detected in water bodies worldwide. The generated wastewater (contaminated with pesticides) has negative impacts on human health, the ecosystem, and the aquatic environment. Recently, biodegradable and biocompatible (including plant-based) pesticides have been introduced as green and safe products to reduce/eliminate the negative impacts of synthetic pesticides. Despite positive advantages of biopesticides, their use is limited due to cost and slow interaction with pests compared to chemical pesticides. Pesticides may also react with water and constituents of soil resulting in formation of intermediates having different physical and chemical properties. Diffusion, dispersion, and permeation are main mechanisms for transfer of pesticides in soil and water. Pesticides may degrade naturally in nature; however, the time requirement can be very long. Many mathematical models have been developed to simulate and estimate the final fate of pesticides in water resources. Development of new technologies and environmentally friendly pesticides to reduce water contamination is becoming increasingly important.

Quality and risk assessment of lead and cadmium in drinking water for child development centres use in Phatthalung province, Thailand

“…An area’s quality of surface water is highly affected by human activities in that area [ 30 ]. In this study, most of the farming activities are responsible for water pollution due to excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which may have a profound effect on the surface water [ 31 ], [ 32 ], [ 33 ] because most of the southern region's farmers use open field farming in which the agricultural zones, para-rubber, rice and garden fruits, are located near the surface water source. Agricultural activities may be linked to surface contamination from pesticides, heavy meals, various chemicals and other contaminants.…”

Water quality assessment of river based on phytoplankton biological integrity index in rural areas of the upstream Citarum River, West Java, Indonesia

“…Turbidity values showed above-standard normal turbidity (79.57 ntu). High turbidity in agricultural areas is often associated with agricultural practices, including the disposal of waste, soil erosion, and sediment runoff, which significantly influence water turbidity through various mechanisms (Rad et al 2022). Turbidity is the degree of cloudiness or haziness in a liquid due to the presence of suspended particles, which can affect water clarity and quality.…”

The Potential of Foraging Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus) to Disperse Seeds of Alien and Invasive Plant Species in the Amathole Forest in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…Alien timber plantations cover 1.2% of the total area of South Africa [61,62], comprising 50% pine (pine plantations including other conifers such as Cedrus, Widdringtonia, and Cupressus species), 43% Eucalyptus (eucalypt, poplar, oak, and other hardwood plantations), and 7% wattle (commercial plantations of Acacia mearnsii with small areas of other Acacia species) [61,63]. A serious threat is posed by alien tree plantations, where herbicides and fertilisers are used to the detriment of indigenous species [64] and contaminate the forest ground cover [65,66].…”