La contamination des eaux de surface par les polluants agricoles (pesticides)

Abstract

Phytosanitary products, or pesticides, used in agriculture to control crop pests, present a significant risk of contamination of surface water. This risk is linked to the ability of these chemicals to disperse in the environment, particularly via runoff and soil leaching, and to reach watercourses. Once in natural environments, pesticides can alter the composition of aquatic communities and disrupt ecological interactions, thus contributing to an imbalance in aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this work is to provide a brief overview of water pollution, particularly of surface waters, by pesticides, as well as its potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems. In order to better understand the dissipation and fate of pesticides in the environment, the mechanisms of dispersion and transport of pesticides in different environmental compartments (air, soil, water) are discussed. We will also discuss the impact of pesticides on aquatic organisms. The main indicators of the physicochemical and biological quality of water as well as the main methods used for the analysis of pesticides in water are also at the heart of this research.