Using Soil and Meteorologic Data Bases in Unsaturated Zone Modeling of Pesticides

Various types of models are being used to evaluate pesticide transport and transformation in the unsaturated zone. Model predictions can be used, for example, to develop alternative agricultural management strategies for pesticide use. However, intensive data requirements for transient models sometimes deter their use. Site-specific measurements are preferred, but existing data bases can be used as a source of required model parameters, especially weather and soil characteristics. These existing data bases make possible the use of models to predict leaching potential in a wide variety of environments.