Methods for Understanding the Fate of Nanopesticides in Soil and Water

Abstract

The interest in the application of nanotechnology in the formulation of plant protection products has increased in recent years. Currently, the methods used for understanding the behavior and fate of nanopesticides in soils are the same as those used for conventional formulations of pesticides. Nevertheless, the assessment of environmental risk of nanopesticides requires some modifications of the conventional methodologies to adapt them to specific properties of nanoformulations. Thus, the nano-character itself is reasonably expected to bring some novel features which modify the environmental fate and may influence the applicability of the conventional methodological concepts. This chapter reviews the most widely used methods to evaluate the different processes to which nanopesticides are subjected in the soil (sorption, persistence, and leaching). The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed and its applicability for nanoformulations of pesticides is assessed, focusing mainly on nanopesticides constituted by an active ingredient associated with a nanocarrier.