Pesticides in rain and roof runoff waters from an urban region

Abstract

The levels of organonitrogen, organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides were monitored in rain and roof runoff waters in Gdańsk (Poland) over a period of 6 months (October 2000 – March 2001). Buildings included in the study were of different ages, and covered with a variety of roofing materials. Samples were collected during the precipitation events. Pesticides were determined by gas chromatography combined with NPD and ECD detection. Bromofos, heptachlor epoxide and o,p′-DDE were detected the most often in the samples collected. In general, pesticide concentrations were higher in roof runoff than in rainwater. The type of the roofing material had a significant effect on the pesticide levels in runoff waters. The highest analyte levels were recorded in October and November, when the temperature was the highest.

Keywords:

• precipitation quality
• roof runoff water
• pesticides
• GC analysis