Institut für ökologische Chemie, Pflanzenanalytik und Vorratsschutz
Small water bodies in the agricultural landscape are particularly susceptible to the input of pesticides. The investigations on small waters carried out by the JKI to date have dealt with the assessment of the chemical load situation of these ecosystems and the derivation of management measures to reduce inputs. While drift and erosion are often regarded as main input paths, subsurface transport routes (e.g. interflow, near-surface groundwater) are often neglected. Subsurface inflow often contributes substantially to the water and matter budgets of surface waters. The hydrological connection of landscape compartments (connectivity) can lead to subsurface transport of active substances over long distances. This implies that the presence of pollutant compounds in surface waters might not represent current or historical management in the immediate vicinity. The potential of subsurface flow paths to introduce pesticides is investigated by means of small standing water bodies in agricultural landscapes.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
