Spatial and temporal variations of herbicide (triazines and phenylureas) concentrations in the catchment basin of the Marne river (France)

Triazine and phenylurea concentrations were investigated in four sub-basins of the Marne river (France) in 1992 and 1993. The peak concentrations of atrazine, simazine and isoproturon occurred between March and July. In the four basins, the peaks were in relation with the herbicide application periods and with the important rainfalls, except for the isoproturon. The peaks of terbutryne and ametryne came later in the year, due to their use for weed control on post-emergent corn. For the phenylureas, the peak concentrations were observed in March–April next to the spraying period on winter cereals. The fast transfer of those herbicides was related to their high water solubility. In all the samples, the deethylatrazine (DEA) was detected 1 month after the atrazine due to its degradation within the soils which is of minor importance as compared to its transport by surface waters and also, to interactions between the silt sheet and the stream itself. The DAR evolution showed that the atrazine residence time depends both on the run-off in the first centimetres of the soil and on the treatment periods, particularly in the Grand Morin. The Marne river contamination level was similar to that of the Mélarchez and of the Grand Morin. The minor pollution of the Orgeval was related to minor cultivated areas.