Estimating drift of airborne pesticides during orchard spraying using active Open Path FTIR. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kira, Oz; Linker, Raphael; Dubowski, Yael
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 142(2016)
• Page Start: 264
• Page End: 270
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Remote sensing -- Thermal infrared -- Aerosols -- Pesticide drift -- OP-FTIR; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.07.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: The use of pesticides is important to ensure food security around the world. Unfortunately, exposure to pesticides is harmful to human health and the environment. This study suggests using active Open Path Fourier Transform Infra-Red (OP-FTIR) spectroscopy for monitoring and characterizing pesticide spray drift, which is one of the transfer mechanisms that lead to inhalation exposure to pesticides. Experiments were conducted in a research farm with two fungicides (Impulse and Bogiron), which were sprayed in the recommended concentration of ∼0.1%w in water, using a tractor-mounted air-assisted sprayer. The ability to detect and characterize the pesticide spray drift was tested in three types of environments: fallow field, young orchard, and mature orchard. During all spraying experiments the spectral signature of the organic phase of the pesticide solution was identified. Additionally, after estimating the droplets' size distribution using water sensitive papers, the OP-FTIR measurements enabled the estimation of the droplets load in the line of sight. Highlights: Pesticide drift was measured using Open-Path FTIR at field conditions in orchards. The organic phase of the pesticide spray drift was detected using OP-FTIR. Spray load was quantified using spectral measurement and water sensitive papers.