Sensitivity analysis of the TOXSWA model simulating fate of pesticides in surface waters

The TOXSWA model calculates the acute exposure concentration and the average exposure concentrations (AECs) of pesticides in ditches after 4, 21 and 28 days. In a (global) sensitivity analysis based on the Monte Carlo method the most sensitive processparameters (pesticide properties) and the most sensitive system parameters (e.g. ditch dimensions) with respect to AECs were determined. The process parametes "transformation rate in the water layer", "coefficient for sorption to macrophytes" and "Henry coefficient" were identified as contributing most to the varation in the AECs. The full range of pesticides was characterized by these three parameters and subsequently the flow velocity, water depth and dry weight of macrophyutes were identified sas sensitive system parameters with respect to the AECs. Analytically, the water depth, bottom width of the ditch and the sorption coefficients for sorption to macrophytes and suspended solids were identified as sensitive parameters with respect to the acute exposure concentration.