The role of organic matrices in the fate of hydrophobic pesticides: An outdoor stream mesocosm study

To assess potential aquatic pesticide risks, environmental monitoring strategies often focus on water and sediment. However, knowledge gaps with regard to the pollution status of organic matrices important for the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems do exist. The present study assessed the dissipation of the triazole fungicide tebuconazole (TEB; K_OW = 5.01 × 10³) and the pyrethroid insecticide etofenprox (ETO; K_OW = 7.94 × 10⁶) as model hydrophobic pesticide compounds among aquatic plants, vertical layers of allochthonous leaf litter, and detritus within flow-through outdoor stream mesocosms. During a 3-h pesticide exposure and a subsequent 24-h post-exposure period, retention was higher for ETO (max concentration: Myriophyllum spicatum > Elodea nuttallii > Ranunculus fluitans > Potamogeton perfoliatus ≫ leaf litter > detritus) and depended amongst other factors on surface area, while in the water compartment the pesticides reached concentration levels < LOQ 2 h after exposure. Desorption was observed for both pesticides in plants, and for TEB in detritus, while in leaves the ETO levels even increased over time, suggesting leaf litter to be a suitable additional sampling matrix for transient hydrophobic pesticide peaks, yet also a potential source of contamination for invertebrate shredders. The upper layer of leaf material contained higher ETO levels than those situated further in the sediment, which implies short-term positive effects for species inhabiting the deeper leaf layers, yet again pinpoints to a potential pesticide exposure pathway via organic matter in aquatic systems.

Keywords: Aquatic biofilms; Pesticide accumulation; Plant protection product; Pulse exposure; Risk assessment.