A GIS-based model estimates the losses from diffuse sources in surface wate
rs in Germany for 42 active ingredients applied to 11 field crops, vineyard
s and orchards. For the following pathways of entry: tile drainage, runoff
and spray drift, the calculated mean pesticide input amounts to 1490 kg/yea
r, 9060 kg/year and 3350 kg/year, respectively, in 1994. The model results
are highly sensitive to the model parameters, primarily the chemical proper
ties of the active ingredients. The modeled water inputs were compared with
measured pesticide loads in smaller catchments and large river basins to v
alidate model results. Both datasets agree as to the order of magnitude, ne
vertheless due to the scale of the study the results should be addressed ma
inly to comparative interpretations with the focus on the proportions betwe
en different active ingredients, soil regions, climates and application per
iods.