Pesticide runoff from greenhouse production

Abstract

A research has been undertaken studying pesticide residues in water from greenhouses and the use of soils and filter materials to reduce such losses. The pesticides detected in water samples collected downstream greenhouses include 9 fungicides, 5 herbicides and 4 insecticides. 10 compounds from flower and vegetable productions were frequently found to exceed environmental risk levels, and with a few exceptions the compounds were found in higher concentrations than those typically found in agricultural runoff. Some compounds were found in high concentrations (>1 microg/l) in undiluted runoff from greenhouses producing vegetables. Nutrient concentrations in the runoff were also sporadically very high, with phosphorous values varying between 0.85 and 7.4 mg P/l, and nitrogen values between 7.5 and 41.4 mg N/l. Undiluted runoff from the productions showed values of 60 mg P/l and 300 mg N/l. High values of pesticides correlated with high values of nutrients, especially P. Column experiments using a sandy agricultural soil and stock solutions of non-polar and slightly polar pesticides mixed with a complex binder and nutrients showed a significant reduction for nearly all of the compounds used, indicating that transport through soil will reduce the concentrations of the studied pesticides. The pesticide adsorption capacity of the filter materials pine bark, peat, Sphagnum moss, compost, oat straw, ferrous sand and clay soil were tested in batch and column experiments. Adsorption were studied contacting the filter materials with aqueous solutions containing greenhouse production pesticides. The batch experiments showed that pine bark and peat, both combining a high content of organic matter with a low ph, provided the highest adsorption for most of the tested pesticides. Sphagnum moss, compost and oat straw also showed high adsorption for most of the pesticides, while the mineral filters provided the lowest adsorption (30-55%). Further column experiments confirmed these results, displaying the best removal efficiency in the organic materials, varying from 200 microg/g in compost, to 500 microg/g in moss, straw and pine bark.

Wetland Technologies for Nursery and Greenhouse Compliance with Nutrient Regulations

“…or more, depending on irrigation delivery method, frequency, duration, and storm events (Majsztrik, 2011;Million et al, 2007;Warsaw et al, 2009). Nutrient concentrations in a greenhouse (crops produced in closed systems with permanent cover) effluent can range from 7.5 to 381 mg • L -1 NO 3 -N, 0.9 to 47 mg • L -1 ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH 4 -N), and 0.85 to 306 mg • L -1 total P (Dole et al, 1994;Prystay and Lo, 2001;Roseth and Haarstad, 2010). Runoff volumes from greenhouses production systems vary, depending on container size and spacing, irrigation rates, and whether systems are open or closed, but in general, runoff volumes can range from 4.5 to 12.6 L • m -2 • d -1 (Majsztrik, 2011;Prystay and Lo 2001).…”

Dissolved pesticides, dissolved organic carbon, and water-quality characteristics in selected Idaho streams, April--December 2010

“…Relatively little is known about the fate and effects of fungicides at environmentally relevant concentrations in the aquatic environment. Recent studies have documented the presence of some fungicides in runoff from greenhouse production and commercial foliage plant nurseries (Roseth and Haarstad, 2010;Wilson and Riiska, 2010), soil and water associated with banana production (Geissen and others, 2010), streams and bed sediment (Battaglin and others, 2010;Smalling and Orlando, 2011), and the atmosphere (Schummer and others, 2010). Even less is known about the presence in the environment of recently registered fungicides.…”

Pesticides in Greenhouse Runoff, Soil and Plants: A Screening

“…Some productions, such as vegetables and flowers, occasionally use large amounts of pesticides and often with relatively toxic compounds [1]. In greenhouses the options for growth control are greater, still the application of pesticides is often high.…”