Distribution of Pyrethroid Insecticides in a Nursery Drainage Channel

The objectives of this study wre to investigate the effects of two synthetic pyrethroids, bifenthrin(BF) and permethrin(PM), in runoff and to evaluate the effects of suspended solids (SS) in the transport of pyrethroid along the drainage channel. Monitoring of BF and PM was conducted with the runoffs as well as in sediments existing along the drainage channel at a nursery site located in southern California, USA. This study also suggests Best Management Practices (BMPs) to alleviage the pollution caused by heavy usage of pyrethroid insecticides at nursery sites. Due to a high affinity to solid particles of pyrethroid insecticides, the concentrations of BF and PM were proportional to the SS contents along the drainage channel. This study suggests that alleviation of pyrethroids existing in runoffs could be controlled by the removal of suspended solids in runoffs and potential implications of current drainage channels for mitigation of pesticides associated with runoffs.