At the Maidments site both hexazinone and atrazine were detected downstream of the target area. Again concentrations were not very high, however, there is some evidence suggesting that the small intermittent runnels at the head of the catchment may have contained significantly higher levels of herbicides for short periods during heavy rainfall.
These runnels only contain runoff during rainfall events. An independent sample from one of these intermittent runnels on 26 July contained 22mg/L atrazine and 5.8mg/L hexazinone. Some dilution can be expected downstream, particularly since only part of the stream catchment was sprayed.
A sample taken downstream during the same event but the day before measured 1.3 and 2.3 mg/L atrazine and hexazinone respectively. Likewise a downstream sample two days after measured 1.4 and 3.5mg/L atrazine and hexazinone respectively.
Maidments Site: Hexazinone 4.2ug/L highest level 20/8/89, Atrazine 2.1ug/L highest level 7/7/89.