Fate of pesticides in field ditches: the TOXSWA simulation model

Abstract

The TOXSWA model describes the fate of pesticides entering field ditches by spray drift, atmospheric deposition, surface run-off, drainage or leaching. It considers four processes: transport, transformation, sorption and volatilization. Analytical andnumerical solutions corresponded well. A sample simulation showed that sorption to macrophytes can considerably reduce the concentration in the water phase. However, sorption to macrophytes leads to a slower transport and thus to longer residence times for the pesticide in the water layer. Sedimentation and resuspension of suspended solids were not considered, so that the model can only be applied for periods shorter than one month