Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment

Monitoring by the National Rivers Authority has shown low concentrations of a wide range of pesticides in many environmental waters.

Although these concentrations are not sufficiently toxic to have an immediate and adverse effect on aquatic life, the significance of long-term exposure to individual pesticides and the combined effects of mixtures of pesticides are still not fully understood.

This publication is a comprehensive report on pesticides in the water environment in England and Wales.

Drawing on the data of two year's extensive regional monitoring at 3500 sites it indicates the occurrence and distribution of pesticides in surface waters and groundwaters.

It also includes detailed summaries on the complex legislation relating to pesticides, information on pollution incidents and current pesticide research projects, and goes on to make 20 recommendations designed to reduce pesticide pollution and to promote future work and initiatives.