Pesticides play a significant role in agriculture, but their leaching into soil and water poses serious environmental risks. This study examines pesticide contamination in surface and groundwater in northern Tunisia, specifically in Kef governorate, involving a survey of 140 farmers to gather data on agricultural practices and pesticide use. Twenty-four pesticides were monitored and utilized within the Pesticide Environmental Risk Indicator (PERI) model to evaluate environmental risk scores for each substance. Soil and water samples were analyzed using a multi-residue method and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed that 50% of the pesticides assessed had an Environmental Risk Score of 5 or higher. Contamination was identified in water and soil, with 18 and 15 pesticide residues, respectively. Notable concentrations included 7.8 µg/L of linuron and flupyradifurone in water and 1718.4 µg/kg of linuron in soil. Commonly detected substances included the insecticide acetamiprid and fungicides like cyflufenamid and penconazole in water, while soil contamination was linked to fungicides metalaxyl and metalaxyl-m, as well as herbicides linuron and s-metolachlor. Factors such as proximity to treated water points and poor packaging management were discussed as risks. The findings emphasize the need for better monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate contamination.

Wastewater contaminated by plant protection products (PPP) from sprayer cleaning operations must be properly managed and disposed of, as it could represent a point source of environmental PPP pollution and pose risks to non-target organisms. Three conventionally and two organically managed farms in hilly vineyards of North-West Italy engaged in a participatory activity for sampling sprayer washing and resultant water. In total 52 samples of wash water (internal and external) were collected during two agricultural seasons and analyzed for six organic pesticides and metallic Cu. PPP concentrations in water collected after internal washing were up to 37.9 times higher than in water collected after external washing. Concentrations in water after external washing were surprisingly high. This may be explained by the characteristics of the sprayers, but also by farmers failing to comply with good practices during PPP use. To evaluate the possible impact on the aquatic environment of dispersal of wash water into a water body, the FOCUS "Stream" approach was followed. The concentrations thus estimated were almost always higher than the environmental quality standard for surface waters but below the toxicological endpoints for fish and Daphnia magna. With reference to the Italian guidelines for waste classification, only one sample would be classified as ecotoxicological hazardous waste and need to be properly managed. In conclusion, due to the nature of contamination, which is point source but diffuse in the territory, analytical data confirms the need for additional joint efforts to improve awareness in managing wastewater containing PPP and to decrease the impact of the agricultural sector.

Pesticides play a significant role in agriculture, but their leaching into soil and water poses serious environmental risks. This study examines pesticide contamination in surface and groundwater in northern Tunisia, specifically in Kef governorate, involving a survey of 140 farmers to gather data on agricultural practices and pesticide use. Researchers monitored 24 pesticides and utilized the Pesticide Environmental Risk Indicator (PERI) model to evaluate environmental risk scores for each substance. Soil and water samples were collected and analyzed using a multi-residue method (QUECHERS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed that 50% of the pesticides assessed had an Environmental Risk Score of 5 or higher. Contamination was identified in water and soil, with 18 and 15 pesticide residues, respectively. Notable concentrations included 7.8 µg/l of linuron and flupyradifurone in water, and 1718.4 µg/kg of linuron in soil. Commonly detected substances included the insecticide acetamiprid and fungicides like cyflufenamid and penconazole in water, while soil contamination was linked to fungicides metalaxyl and metalaxyl-m, as well as herbicides linuron and s-metolachlor. Factors such as proximity to treated water points and poor packaging management were discussed as risks. The findings emphasize the need for better monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate contamination.