Assessing residual status and spatial variation of current-use pesticides under the influence of environmental factors in major cash crop growing areas of Pakistan

The status of seven currently used pesticides were assessed under the influence of soil parameters in surface soils of cash crop growing areas of Pakistan. Chlorpyrifos occurred in highest mean concentration (1.18 mg kg−1). Selected pesticides exhibited higher affinity towards both organic carbon and black carbon fractions. The δ13C stable carbon isotopic fraction of inorganic carbon was also used as a tracer and disclosed high retention of total organic carbon in Swat and Swabi sites. Statistical analysis revealed that carbon storage was primarily influenced by altitude and temperature. Soil clay mineral oxides of aluminum and iron positively correlated with organic carbon and selected pesticides (chlorpyrifos and cyprodinil). Soil to plant bio-concentration ratios predicted heightened uptake of azinfos and diazinon in major cash crop bio mass. Occupational risk via soil ingestion expressed no significant threat to the farmer community