A field method is described, which allows the qualitative estimation o
f pesticide contamination in the edge-of-field runoff. The method empl
oys cheap and easy-to-use runoff sampling bottles, which were installe
d in an agricultural stream catchment over a period of three growing s
easons. During this time 18 runoff events were detected, in nine of wh
ich insecticide contamination was measured (maximum concentrations: li
ndane 0.7 mu g l(-1) and 12.7 mu g kg(-1), parathion 20 mu g l(-1) and
728 mu g kg(-1), fenvalerate 18.4 mu g l(-1) and 924 mu g kg(-1)). Th
ese insecticides were detected mainly as particle-bound chemicals. On
about 80 % of the occasions the presence or absence of runoff measured
in the field was in agreement with a simulation of runoff presence or
absence using the runoff model KINEROS. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd
. All rights reserved.