Pesticides Occurrence in Water Sources and Decontamination Techniques

Abstract

Pesticides are essential in crop protection as they keep the plants safe from insects, weeds, fungi, and other pests in order to increase crop production and feed billions of people throughout the world. There are more than 500 pesticide molecules currently in use all around the world. Their non-judicious use has noticeably contaminated the environment and caused negative effects on humans and other life forms. The rainfall or irrigation water takes away the pesticide residues to nearby surface water bodies through runoff or to the groundwater sources through leaching. The occur- rence of pesticides in water resources could have multiple consequences. Exposure of pesticides through contaminated water becomes the cause of acute and chronic health problems in people of all ages. Pesticide residues have the potential to disrupt the eco- system equilibrium in water bodies. Contaminated irrigation water can contaminate other crops as well as their environment. This chapter will discuss the major exposure routes of pesticides in water bodies mainly from agricultural sectors and their effect on the ecosystem. The chapter will also discuss decontamination techniques to elimi- nate pesticide contaminants from water bodies.