Migration of Pesticide Residues from Agricultural Soil to Groundwater

Abstract

Abstract The pesticide content of agricultural soil and groundwater was investigated by monitoring three sampling sites located in the Northern Italy and cultivated with maize crop. The GC analyses of soil samples allowed the description of vertical distribution of pesticide residues in the soil profile. High concentrations of pesticide were determined in the superficial horizons while in the deeper layers the contamination reached values less than 0,2 μg/kg. The gas chromatographic results were positively correlated to the ELISA test ones, proving the possibility of utilizing immunoassay tests as a screening procedure. Key Words: Aquiferherbicidesoilgas chromatographic analysisELISA test