The widespread use of pesticides in crop protection leads to their release into soil, where their occurrence is shaped by multiple factors, including land use, management practices, and pedoclimatic conditions. However, their long-term behavior and effects on beneficial soil organisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the drivers of pesticide residue occurrence in agricultural soils, their persistence beyond the period in which ≥90% of the applied substance is expected to dissipate from the soil according to regulatory data (DT90), and potential ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. We analyzed 146 substances (127 active ingredients and 19 transformation products) in topsoil from 126 Swiss sites across different land uses (arable and vegetable fields, orchards, and vineyards) using a sensitive analytical method. In addition to pesticide application intensity, pedoclimatic factors - particularly soil organic carbon and 30-year mean precipitation - emerged as key drivers of residue occurrence. Observed field persistence exceeded regulatory maximum field half-lives in about 60% of cases, especially for residues remaining in soil well beyond the DT90 period. While most pesticide concentrations declined to below 10% of the applied amount after this period, several remained above this threshold for extended periods and at concentrations potentially relevant for ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. Among these, difenoconazole, epoxiconazole, and chlorpyrifos contributed most strongly to the potential ecotoxicological impact across land uses, with overall concerns higher in Switzerland than in the European LUCAS soil monitoring survey. Our findings indicate that regulatory prospective persistence estimates frequently fail to capture field longevity and associated potential ecotoxicological effects of multiple pesticides.
Pesticides comprise both naturally derived and synthetically manufactured compounds extensively employed to control insects, weeds, fungi, rodents, nematodes, and other agricultural pests. Their widespread application has significantly enhanced crop productivity and food security; however, indiscriminate use has resulted in serious environmental and public health concerns. Owing to their toxic nature, pesticides can adversely affect living organisms, and the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies these compounds according to their potential health hazards. This article provides a comprehensive review of pesticides' global distribution, classification, applications, and environmental effects. It summarizes the available literature on pesticide classification based on source, chemical composition, mode of action, target organisms, and toxicity. Furthermore, the review discusses the detrimental effects of pesticide residues on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, soil and water quality, plant physiology, metabolism, defence mechanisms, genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, and human health, including their association with genetic alterations, carcinogenesis, allergic disorders, and respiratory diseases. Eco-friendly approaches for pesticide remediation, such as bacterial degradation, mycoremediation, phytoremediation, and microalgae-based bioremediation, are highlighted. These biological systems utilize diverse catabolic enzymes to degrade pesticide residues and facilitate environmental detoxification. The review also emphasizes the need to identify efficient microbial strains, novel degradative genes, and advanced biotechnological strategies to achieve sustainable pesticide waste management.
Unknown authors· International journal of res...· 0 citations
Pesticides remain central to crop protection and agricultural productivity, but inappropriate application practices may increase environmental and occupational risks. This study provides an integrated assessment of phytosanitary practices, soil physicochemical quality patterns, and Tier 1 environmental risk in pesticide-treated agricultural fields of western Algeria. A semi-structured survey was conducted in 70 agricultural fields across Oran, Mostaganem, Ain Temouchent, and Saida to document pesticide use patterns, active ingredients, treated crops, dose compliance, and safety practices. Soil physicochemical properties were assessed in 20 pesticide-treated plots and 20 corresponding untreated control samples. For each plot, one composite soil sample of approximately 1 kg was obtained from the 0-40 cm layer by pooling six subsamples collected along a complete zigzag transect. Tier 1 environmental risk was evaluated by estimating predicted environmental concentrations (PEC soil) and chronic toxicity-exposure ratios (TER) following EFSA guidance and the FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit. Soil data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired treated-control comparisons, Shapiro-Wilk normality tests, paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests as appropriate, false discovery rate adjustment, Spearman correlation, and standardized principal component analysis. The survey showed a predominance of insecticides and fungicides, frequent noncompliance with recommended application rates, and limited use of personal protective equipment. Compared with the corresponding controls, treated soils showed significantly lower moisture and organic matter, higher pH, and lower silt content after FDR correction, whereas electrical conductivity, carbonate variables, available phosphorus, clay, and sand did not show robust paired differences. Multivariate analysis separated samples mainly according to moisture, pH, organic matter, carbonate status, texture, and available phosphorus. The Tier 1 assessment identified sites with potential chronic risk requiring further refinement or risk mitigation. These findings provide a regional baseline on phytosanitary practices, soil physicochemical patterns, and screening-level environmental risk in western Algerian agroecosystems.
Hiba Hamal, Yamina Merzouk, Amina Zergui et al.· Journal of Environmental Sci...· 0 citations
Pharmaceutical contamination in agricultural environments has become an increasing concern at the intersection of environmental sustainability, food security, and public health. The growing reuse of reclaimed wastewater (RWW), the application of biosolids, and intensive livestock production practices have contributed to the continuous release of pharmaceutically active compounds into agricultural soils worldwide. Although these substances are not intentionally applied in crop production systems, their persistent presence and biological activity have led to their recognition as emerging non-conventional agrochemicals. Once introduced into agroecosystems, pharmaceuticals may undergo sorption, degradation, and transformation, as well as interactions with soil microorganisms, while still remaining potentially available for plant uptake and transfer into the food chain. Various pharmaceutical classes, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and hormones, have been detected in soils and edible crops at variable concentrations, depending on environmental conditions, soil properties, and plant physiological characteristics. In this context, this narrative review aims to analyze the origin of this contamination in agricultural soils, the physicochemical mechanisms that determine the environmental persistence of pharmaceuticals, as well as their absorption by plants, and the consequent impact on food security and the One Health model. It further proposes pharmaceuticals as a novel class of non-conventional agrochemicals unintentionally entering food production systems and discusses current regulatory challenges, mitigation strategies, and future research priorities needed to support sustainable agricultural management and safer resource reuse practices.
Carla Matos, A. Vinha, C. Moutinho et al.· Agrochemicals· 0 citations
Phthalates (PAEs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been widely detectable in agricultural soils and pose potential risks to ecosystems. However, their regional variations and the influencing factors in agricultural soils in China remain unclear. To address these issues, we assessed the regional accumulation and combined ecological risks of PAEs and OPEs in agricultural soils across China using the literature data, and then analysed their influencing factors from the perspectives of pollutant property parameters, soil physicochemical properties, meteorological conditions, agricultural activities, and geographical variables using Random Forest models and multi-source spatial data. The results showed that the mean concentration of Σ6PAEs (1591 ± 1610 ng/g) was generally higher than that of Σ11OPEs (52.6 ± 111 ng/g). Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (791 ± 902 ng/g) and Σ5Alkyl-OPEs (29.2 ± 88.9 ng/g) were the dominant compounds. The combined ecological risks of the Σ6PAEs and Σ11OPEs were the highest in agricultural soils in Eastern China (median risk quotient (RQ): 3.75). PAEs showed high risks (RQ ≥ 1) across China, whereas OPEs exhibited moderate risks (0.1 ≤ RQ < 1) except in the West (RQ < 0.1). The importance of pollutant property parameters for PAE and OPE accumulation in agricultural soils reached 49.9 ± 6.44% and 28.9 ± 2.24%, respectively. The soil physicochemical properties and meteorological parameters contributed higher impacts on the OPEs than on the PAEs, especially the precipitation, which contributed 9.13 ± 0.56% to OPEs. These findings provide scientific support for the ecological risk evaluation and environmental management of plastic additives in agricultural soils.
Xinyu Kan, Zhongcheng Ma, Enze Xie et al.· Ecotoxicology and Environmen...· 0 citations
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are pervasive industrial additives that accumulate in agricultural soils, which serve as the primary interface for transfer into food crops. Despite their ubiquity, systematic insights into contamination profiles, soil–crop relationships, and biological effects remain insufficient for accurate risk assessment. Focusing on datasets from China, this review synthesizes the occurrence, bioaccumulation, and phytotoxicity of chlorinated (Cl-), alkyl-, and aryl-OPEs in agroecosystems. Reported contamination levels in Chinese agricultural soils exhibit pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with significantly higher concentrations in agriculturally intensive eastern regions (such as Liaoning, Tianjin, and Zhejiang province), driven by intensive wastewater irrigation and plastic mulch application. OPE levels in crops generally correlate with soil concentrations, though the relationship is modulated by compound-specific properties and plant species. Contamination patterns follow a specific hierarchy (vegetables > cereals > other crops), with ΣCl-OPEs typically dominating. Bioaccumulation of OPEs is largely governed by octanol–water partition coefficient (logKow) and molecular weight (MW), resulting in preferential partitioning of Cl-OPEs into hydrophilic compartments, alkyl-OPEs into structural matrices such as cell walls, and aryl-OPEs into lipid-rich root tissues. Biotransformation proceeds via coordinated phase I and phase II pathways, involving hydroxylation, hydrolysis, and conjugation reactions. Cl-OPEs tend to undergo dichlorination, aryl-OPEs form more polar metabolites, and alkyl-OPEs yield structurally diverse transformation products. Chronic exposure to OPEs and their metabolites induces oxidative stress, growth inhibition, and photosynthetic disruption in plants, potentially exceeding intrinsic detoxification capacities. Overall, this review highlights the structure-governed environmental fate and biological effects of OPEs in soil–crop systems and underscores the importance of integrating congener-specific prioritization, soil–plant transfer assessment, and transformation product monitoring for improved risk management in agricultural environments.
The widespread use of herbicides is essential for weed control and crop productivity but has led to the accumulation of residues in soil and crops, posing potential risks to ecosystems and human health. This study systematically investigated herbicide residues in croplands of China's typical black soil regions, focusing on the soil-crop-human health continuum. Through regional-scale, multi-media surveys, 54 herbicides (including degradants) were detected in soil and 21 herbicides (including degradants) in crop grains, with the mean concentrations of 257 μg kg-1 and 1.54 μg kg-1, respectively. Soil properties and crop types significantly influenced herbicide residue levels and patterns. Ecological risk assessments revealed that eight herbicides posed high ecological risks (RQ>1), while six herbicides exhibited bioaccumulation potential (BCF>1) between soil and crop grains. Human health risk assessment further indicated non-negligible non-carcinogenic risks associated with fomesafen residues in rice grains for both adults and children (NCR>1×10-4), suggesting that long-term consumption of rice may lead to adverse non-cancer health effects. Based on these findings, integrated risk management strategies were proposed to mitigate herbicide residue hazards in soils and crops, ensuring the safe and sustainable use of black soils and protection of public health. This research highlights the need for targeted mitigation and management measures to reduce herbicide inputs and minimize ecological and human health risks in intensive agricultural systems. The results provide critical baseline data and scientific insights for the risk management of herbicide residues in black soil agricultural ecosystems, and also offer a reference framework for balancing agricultural productivity and environmental and human health protection in intensive agricultural production regions worldwide.
L. Jian, Hanqiang Liu, Wenyou Hu et al.· Environmental Pollution· 0 citations
