Pesticide inputs into surface waters may cause harmful effects on aquatic life communities and substantially contribute to environmental pollution. The present study aimed at evaluating the input pathways in the Querne/Weida catchment (central Germany) to efficiently target mitigation measures of pesticide losses. Relevant pesticide substances were measured in surface waters in agricultural and urban surroundings and in soil samples within the catchment area. Pesticides application data from farmers were analyzed. Additionally, batch tests were performed to determine sorption and degradation of relevant pesticides for site specific soil properties. Frequency of detection, number of pesticides and maximum concentrations were much higher in the surface water samples in mainly urban surroundings compared to those in agricultural surrounding. The most frequently detected substances were glyphosate, AMPA, diflufenican and tebuconazole in surface water samples and diflufenican, boscalid, tebuconazole and epoxiconazole in the topsoil samples. Glyphosate and AMPA contributed to the highest concentrations in surface water samples (max. 58 μg L⁻¹) and soil samples (max. 0.19 mg kg⁻¹). In most cases, pesticide detections in surface water and soil were not consistent with application data from farmers, indicating that urban sources may affect water quality in the catchment area substantially. However, it was observed that pesticide substances remain in the soil over a long time supported by sorption on the soil matrix. Therefore, delayed inputs into surface waters could be suspected. For the implementation of reduction measures, both urban and agricultural sources should be considered.

Novel findings of the study: pesticide detections were not consistent with application data from farmers, urban sources contributed substantially to pesticide pollution of surface waters.