Studies on residues of pesticides used in rape plants protection in surface waters of intensively exploited arable lands in Wielkopolska Province of Poland.

Samples of surface waters of intensively exploited arable lands in Wielkopolska Province of Poland were collected in 2006 and 2007. The studies included 13 insecticides used in rape plants protection against pests. All selected pesticides were extracted from water samples by means of solid phase extraction (SPE, carbon black) followed by reverse phase ultra performance liquid chromatography analysis with quadrupole mass detection (RP-UPLC-MS/MS). Totally, 123 samples from lakes, rivers, ponds, field watercourses and drainages were collected (i.e. 79 and 44 in 2006 and 2007, respectively). Of all samples, 36 (29.3 %) were contaminated with residues of plant protection products used for protection of rape crops. Contamination with thiametoxam and acetamiprid in 17.1 % and 11.4 % of the samples, respectively, were mostly detected, and the highest concentration was determined in sample from field watercourse taken in spring 2007 containing 1.341 microg/l of acetamiprid. Totally, ten of thirteen studied insecticides were found; however, concentrations of their residues were usually very low. Among all analyzed samples only three exceeded the level of plant protection products established in Directive 2000/60/EC on the level of maximum admissible concentrations (MAC) of harmful substances in water. Although condition of Wielkopolan waters analyzed within the framework of this paper is not alarming, there is a need to take measures directed towards systematic monitoring contamination of water with pesticides used currently in intensive plant production.