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Diffuse atrazine pollution in German aquifers.
Wolfgang Tappe1, Joost Groeneweg, Barbara Jantsch
1Research Center Jülich, Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere, Germany. w.tappe@fz.juelich.de
Biodegradation
|September 12, 2002
Summary
Despite being banned in Germany in 1991, the herbicide atrazine and its metabolite desethylatrazine remain prevalent in groundwater. Their persistence is linked to soil wash-out and potential illegal use, impacting German aquifers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Agronomy
- Hydrogeology
Background:
- Atrazine was a widely used herbicide in Germany until its 1991 prohibition, particularly in maize cultivation.
- It was also applied in orchards, vineyards, and non-cultivated areas.
- Terbutylazine and terbutryn are the only permitted s-triazines currently in Germany.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the continued presence and trends of atrazine and its metabolite desethylatrazine in German groundwater.
- To discuss factors influencing the environmental fate of atrazine, including adsorption, degradation, and persistence.
- To assess the current occurrence of atrazine in German aquifers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of groundwater samples for atrazine and desethylatrazine concentrations.
- Review of historical usage data and prohibition impacts.
- Evaluation of factors affecting herbicide behavior in soil and water systems.
Main Results:
- Atrazine and desethylatrazine are the most abundant herbicides found in near-surface groundwater.
- Despite the ban, some maize fields showed evidence of atrazine application post-prohibition.
- A general trend of decreasing atrazine and increasing desethylatrazine concentrations was observed in some areas, but increasing concentrations were also noted in other aquifers.
Conclusions:
- Atrazine and its metabolite continue to be significant contaminants in German groundwater.
- Persistence in soil, potential for wash-out, and possible illegal applications contribute to ongoing contamination.
- Understanding the factors governing atrazine's environmental fate is crucial for managing groundwater quality.