Collection of data on freshwater sediments from small edge-of-field waterbodies representing the EU-FOCUS scenarios for use in pesticide registration

In the EU, pesticide exposure calculations include the use of models and scenarios to assess risks for aquatic organisms. These scenarios include fifteen small edge‐of‐field waterbodies (ditches, streams, and ponds) that represent the major EU agricultural areas. Currently the sediment of all scenarios is characterised by the same properties, including a relatively low value for the organic carbon content of 5%. This low value leads to an underestimation of the exposure in sediment and thus it may underestimate risks for sediment‐dwelling organisms.