Distribution of Organophosphorus Pesticides in some Estuarine Environments in Korea

Abstract

To study the distribution of organophosphorus pesticides which are extensively used for agriculture in Korea. Sea water samples were taken from 4 coastal areas during May and August of 1997 and sediment samples were collected from two coastal areas in August of 1997. These samples were analyzed using a Gas Chromatography/Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector (GC/NPD). In August the most commonly found organophosphorus pesticides in the surface waters of Kunsan area were IBP (m=432.5ngL−1) and EDDP (m=37.4ngL−1) which are largely used between June and September to prevent rice blast disease. In Danghang Bay, dry fields located near the mouth of the estuary seemed to affect the concentrations of certain organophosphorus pesticides in the surface waters. Since organophosphorus pesticides applied in the watershed are rapidly decomposed while being transported along freshwater streams, watershed size is not proportional to the concentrations of these pesticides in the coastal waters. Pesticides concentrations measured in August were compared with those in May. IBP concentrations in coastal waters were about an order of magnitude higher in August than in May. Temporal and geographical distribution of individual organophosphorus pesticides is likely to be affected by types of agricultural practices in the watershed. Chloropyrifos was the most important of the organophosphorus pesticides in the sediments of the study area because of its persistent nature and high affinity to particulates.