Spatiotemporal analysis of multi-pesticide residues in the largest Central European shallow lake, Lake Balaton, and its sub-catchment area

Abstract

Background The present study aimed to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the presence and environmental risks of pesticide and repellent residues in Lake Balaton and its sub-catchment area (Hungary). A unique analysis of 439 active substances and 17 metabolites was carried out on surface waters and one effluent wastewater as the only direct discharge into Lake Balaton from June 2017 until August 2020. Altogether 203 water- and 85 sediment samples were collected and analysed during the 3-year monitoring period. To determine the environmental risks of the detected pesticides to aquatic ecosystems, environmental risk assessment (ERA) was carried out using two approaches (worst- and general-case scenarios). Results Fifty-two pesticides and one insect repellent were detected, of which 26 belonged to herbicides (24 active substances and two metabolites), 15 to fungicides (15 active substances), and 11 to insecticides (eight active substances and three metabolites), of which only nine of the total analysed compounds are listed to be monitored in surface waters with threshold limit values (TLVs). The most frequently detected compounds were terbuthylazine, diethyltoluamide (DEET), desethyl-atrazine, and metolachlor. Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and DEET were found with the highest concentrations of 3.0, 2.0, and 1.57 µg/L, respectively. The pesticide exposures were higher during the summer periods indicating a stable seasonal pattern. According to the performed ERA, the calculated Risk Quotients (RQs) indicated 18 compounds with a high level of risk including nine that had been banned for at least a decade. Discussion This study expands knowledge on the spatiotemporal occurrence of pesticides in inland surface waters and highlights the need to consider widening the number of analysed pesticides beyond the European Water Framework Directive (EWFD). According to our results, additional authority and legislation procedures should come into force for pesticides not indexed in the priority European Union Watch List.

Toxicity of a Common Glyphosate Metabolite to the Freshwater Planarian (Girardia tigrina)

“…We selected these doses because they represent the low and high ends of the range observed in existing US water systems [4,15]. Concentrations from European waterways fall in the middle [20].…”

“…Concentrations of AMPA in freshwater environments for Mississippi and Iowa are reported at 0.02-5.7 µg/L [19]. The concentration of AMPA in Lake Balaton, Hungary, is 2.0 µg/L [20]. Median AMPA concentrations in US waterways range from 0.02 µg/L (groundwater, lakes, ponds, and wetlands) to 0.43 µg/L (ditches and drains) [4].…”

The Cocktail Effects on the Acute Cytotoxicity of Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals Frequently Detected in the Environment

“…Ibuprofen, diclofenac, metolachlor, and tebuconazole have been detected in Lake Guaíba [ 27 ]. S-metolachlor, tebuconazole, and terbuthylazine have been detected in Lake Balaton and its sub-catchment area [ 28 ]. The main pathways for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) entering surface waters are through domestic wastewater, mainly due to inadequate removal of micropollutants during wastewater treatment processes.…”

Biological Parameters and Spermatogenesis in Razorfish (Pelecus cultratus) Population Inhabiting the Largest Shallow Lake of Central Europe (Lake Balaton): Studies for In Vitro Conservation Purposes

“…Lake Balaton, located in Transdanubia, Hungary, is the largest shallow lake in Central Europe. It has a surface area of 594 km 2 , a length of 78 km, an average width of 7.7 km, an average depth of 3.2 m, a water volume of 1.9 km 3 , and a coastline of 235 km [17,18]. The lake is divided into four main basins: Keszthely, Szigliget, Szemes, and Siófok [18].…”

“…It has a surface area of 594 km 2 , a length of 78 km, an average width of 7.7 km, an average depth of 3.2 m, a water volume of 1.9 km 3 , and a coastline of 235 km [17,18]. The lake is divided into four main basins: Keszthely, Szigliget, Szemes, and Siófok [18]. A unique population of razorfish inhabits the lake and its entire life cycle there [1,19,20].…”