Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania

In Romania, groundwater is an important source of drinking water, especially in rural areas. This study investigated the concentrations of organophosphorus, carbamate, and triazine pesticides (OPs) along with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in groundwater samples collected from the Titu-Sarata Plai...

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Main Authors: Crinela Dumitrescu, Claudia Stihi, Diana Costinel, Elisabeta Irina Geana, Corina Teodora Ciucure, Diana Ionela Popescu (Stegarus), Danut Tanislav, Petre Bretcan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5880
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author Crinela Dumitrescu
Claudia Stihi
Diana Costinel
Elisabeta Irina Geana
Corina Teodora Ciucure
Diana Ionela Popescu (Stegarus)
Danut Tanislav
Petre Bretcan
author_facet Crinela Dumitrescu
Claudia Stihi
Diana Costinel
Elisabeta Irina Geana
Corina Teodora Ciucure
Diana Ionela Popescu (Stegarus)
Danut Tanislav
Petre Bretcan
author_sort Crinela Dumitrescu
collection DOAJ
description In Romania, groundwater is an important source of drinking water, especially in rural areas. This study investigated the concentrations of organophosphorus, carbamate, and triazine pesticides (OPs) along with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in groundwater samples collected from the Titu-Sarata Plain. Sensitive analytical techniques were employed, including Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Q Exactive™ HF Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Environmental and human health risks were assessed in the case of pesticides that exceeded the maximum allowed concentration. The environmental risk assessment (ERA) revealed significant risks associated with Phosdrin, Phorate, and pp’DDE. Additionally, particular concerns arose from the presence of Aldrin and Dieldrin, which pose a high carcinogenic risk, especially through groundwater consumption in agricultural areas. The results of this research highlight the need for the implementation of a continuous quality monitoring program for groundwater in the agricultural regions that were studied.
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-a9eecb80c771432b8177e49c92176b482025-08-20T03:11:18ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511588010.3390/app15115880Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, RomaniaCrinela Dumitrescu0Claudia Stihi1Diana Costinel2Elisabeta Irina Geana3Corina Teodora Ciucure4Diana Ionela Popescu (Stegarus)5Danut Tanislav6Petre Bretcan7Valahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, 13 Aleea Sinaia St., 130004 Targoviste, RomaniaValahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, 13 Aleea Sinaia St., 130004 Targoviste, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, 4 Uzinei St., 240050 Ramnicu-Valcea, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, 4 Uzinei St., 240050 Ramnicu-Valcea, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, 4 Uzinei St., 240050 Ramnicu-Valcea, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, 4 Uzinei St., 240050 Ramnicu-Valcea, RomaniaValahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Humanities, 35 Stancu Ion St., 130105 Targoviste, RomaniaValahia University of Targoviste, Faculty of Humanities, 35 Stancu Ion St., 130105 Targoviste, RomaniaIn Romania, groundwater is an important source of drinking water, especially in rural areas. This study investigated the concentrations of organophosphorus, carbamate, and triazine pesticides (OPs) along with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in groundwater samples collected from the Titu-Sarata Plain. Sensitive analytical techniques were employed, including Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Q Exactive™ HF Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Environmental and human health risks were assessed in the case of pesticides that exceeded the maximum allowed concentration. The environmental risk assessment (ERA) revealed significant risks associated with Phosdrin, Phorate, and pp’DDE. Additionally, particular concerns arose from the presence of Aldrin and Dieldrin, which pose a high carcinogenic risk, especially through groundwater consumption in agricultural areas. The results of this research highlight the need for the implementation of a continuous quality monitoring program for groundwater in the agricultural regions that were studied.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5880pesticidesgroundwatersenvironmental riskhuman health risk
spellingShingle Crinela Dumitrescu
Claudia Stihi
Diana Costinel
Elisabeta Irina Geana
Corina Teodora Ciucure
Diana Ionela Popescu (Stegarus)
Danut Tanislav
Petre Bretcan
Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
Applied Sciences
pesticides
groundwaters
environmental risk
human health risk
title Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
title_full Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
title_fullStr Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
title_short Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater from Titu-Sarata Plain, Romania
title_sort assessment of pesticide contamination of groundwater from titu sarata plain romania
topic pesticides
groundwaters
environmental risk
human health risk
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5880
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