Summary
This narrative review examines the environmental fate and toxicological consequences of systemic fungicides, which have increased in agricultural use despite resistance risks and human health concerns. The authors synthesise evidence on how fungicides enter water bodies and discuss constructed wetlands as an environmentally benign, cost-effective remediation approach, examining removal mechanisms and design factors (plant species, wetland type, physicochemical properties) that influence remediation performance. The review identifies low-environmental-risk fungicides and alternative disease management strategies as pathways to reduce fungicide-associated risks whilst maintaining crop protection.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK agriculture, particularly in horticultural and arable systems where fungicide use is widespread. UK policy on pesticide residues in water and integrated pest management frameworks could benefit from the review's evidence on constructed wetlands as a practical, sustainable remediation tool for contaminated agricultural drainage.
Key measures
Fungicide removal efficacy in constructed wetlands; physicochemical parameters affecting fate; non-target effects on pollinators and plant physiology; substrate microbial community impacts
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on fungicide physicochemical properties, environmental persistence, and non-target ecological effects (including bumblebee population decline). It evaluates constructed wetlands as a remediation technology, examining removal mechanisms (plant uptake, biodegradation, photodegradation, hydrolysis) and factors affecting efficacy.
Topic tags
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