TESTING WATER QUALITY FOR PESTICIDE POLLUTION

摘要: Information from the first phase of USA's National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program shows that pesticides are widespread in streams and ground water, occur geographical seasonal patterns follow land use related pesticide use. The most heavily used compounds account for detections, found environment usually as mixtures. Almost every stream sample collected contained at least one pesticide. For drinking NAWQA results provide good news about individual relation to current regulations criteria. However, extent risk humans here is not yet known, because criteria cover limited numbers potential effects. show a high impacts on aquatic life some streams, especially those where concentrations more than approach or exceed aquatic-life long time periods. This feature describes Programs's scope structure, discusses occurrence natural waters, gives examples use-detection relationships considers environmental significance findings their implications NAWQA. design may be modified improve assessment future studies.