S-triazine herbicides in rainwater with special reference to the situation in Germany

Since pesticides have the potential for contaminating the air by different mechanisms of atmospheric input, pesticide residues can be detected in precipitation. Examples for s-triazine concentrations in rainwater taken from literature were compiled and evaluated. Seasonal trends were observed, with highest concentrations between April and June during the time of the application of s-triazine herbicides. In relation to the s-triazine input by agriculture, the atmospheric deposition is very low. Therefore, in agricultural regions the atmospheric input of s-triazine is not important; for unpolluted sites, however, atmospheric input is the only source of contamination. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.