Runoff and Leaching of Pesticides in Golf Course

Abstract

An investigation of runoff property of pesticides applied in a golf course was conducted by using lysimeters and at actual golf courses. In lysimeter experiment, a remarkable leaching was observed in only 5 pesticides [trichlorfon (DEP), metalaxyl, isoprothiolane, flutolanil and iprodione] with at least 100 mm of precipitation. The leaching was scarce in other 12 pesticides [bensulide (SAP), isofenphos, fenitrothion (MEP), fenarimol, triflumizole, tetra-chlorvinphos (CVMP), pyridaphenthion, oxine-copper, isoxathion, prothiofos, tolclofos-methyl, pendimethalin] with sum of 440 mm of precipitation for 51 days. The leaching pattern of the 5 pesticides showed a single broad peak. There was a tendency that pesticides with a high water solubility had a potential to move downward. In putting green experiment, all the 3 pesticides applied (isofenphos, flutolanil and metalaxyl) were detected in leaching water with only 10 mm of precipitation. There was no significant difference among the pesticides in the concentrations during experimental period for 41 days. In fairway experiment, all the 4 pesticides (propyzamide, SAP, MEP and iprodione) were detected in the surface water with at least 10–20 mm precipitation. Concentration of pesticides in the surface water from the putting green and fairway experiments was higher than that in the leaching water. Since the present experiments were carried out during the winter period, attention should be paid to the fact that the environmental conditions are different from those in spring to fall when pesticides are usually applied to golf courses. © 1994, Pesticide Science Society of Japan. All rights reserved.