Comparative Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Soils of Serbia and Romania
2024
Zarić, Nenad | Crista, Florin | Berbecea, Adina | Hotea, Ionela | Crista, Laura | Zarić, Milana
The widespread use of pesticides increased crop yields and improved food security. However, the use of pesticides has a negative impact for the environment, particularly for soil health and ecosystem sustainability. This study investigates the presence and distribution of pesticides in the border region between Serbia and Romania. Soil samples were collected in the South Banat district in Vojvodina, Serbia, and in the Romanian Timis district. Samples were taken during all four seasons of the year. The subsequent analysis included the extraction and identification of 278 pesticides using QuEChERS followed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Only two pesticides, atrazine and carbaryl, are regulated. Although atrazine was detected, it remained below the limit of quantification (LOQ), while carbaryl was completely absent. Of the approximately 20 pesticides detected, seven exceeded the LOQ, mainly herbicides such as metolachlor and terbuthylazine and the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid. Spatial variability analysis revealed higher concentrations of pesticides in the upper soil layers, which decrease with depth, underlining the importance of soil stratification in monitoring strategies. While the comparative analysis between Serbia and Romania showed no statistical differences in the occurrence of pesticides, the soil from Romania showed a lower frequency of detection, possibly due to different agricultural practices or soil characteristics.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
Publisher University of Belgrade, Technical faculty in Bor (Serbia)
This bibliographic record has been provided by Matica Srpska Library