The aim of investigations was to understand the effect of herbicides application on soil environment and residues in sugar beet. Field experiments were carried out during 1997-2001 on arable field near Wroclaw. Herbicides to weed control in sugar beet were applied at recommended dose alone and in mixture with adjuvants. Samples of soil, leaves and roots of sugar beet were taken on the day of harvest. Additional, soil samples were taken six weeks (in autumn 2000) and five months (in spring 2001) after harvest. All samples were analysed (herbicide residues) using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-detection and gas liquid chromatography (GLC) with ECD. Residues of active ingredient of herbicides determined in roots and leaves of sugar beet did not exceed acceptable values included in EU standards and herbicides use in normal agricultural practice should not present problems for following crops. Moreover, the addition of adjuvants caused an increase of the herbicide active ingredient residue in soil, leaves and roots of sugar beet samples in comparison with the treatments, where herbicides alone were used.

Some active ingredient of herbicides, after application, can create a risk for ground and surface water. The aim of investigations was monitoring of herbicidal pollution in ground and surface water on arable areas. The investigations were conducted in the years 2000-2002. The samples were collected (from stationary points located in the south-west Poland) twice a year (in spring and autumn about 3-6 weeks after nominal term of herbicide application). Surface water was sampled in 27 points and ground water in 18 wells. The residues of herbicide active ingredients (triazine and phenoxy acids) were determined using HPLC methods with UV detection and GLC method with ECD detection. The residues of active compounds in surface water (in spring and autumn) were detected. Residues at concentrations exceeding the EU safety standards were detected most frequently in springtime. The contamination levels in excess admissible limits were found in ca. 15% of surface water samples. In ground water (from wells) residues were detected sporadically and its level was very low (ca. 0.01- 0.1 mg=dm").