Environmental Fate, Ecotoxicological Impacts and Remediation Strategies for Neonicotinoid Insecticides: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract: Neonicotinoid insecticides are systemic pesticides widely used in agricultural and non-agricultural pest control because of their efficacy against sucking and chewing insects. However, their high water solubility, persistence, plant translocation and mobility across environmental compartments have raised increasing concern regarding contamination of soil, water, pollen, nectar and non-target habitats. This review synthesizes current evidence on the environmental fate, ecological impacts and remediation strategies for neonicotinoid insecticides, with emphasis on aquatic systems, soil biota, pollinators, birds, humans and emerging clean-up technologies. Evidence from recent studies indicates that neonicotinoids can persist in soil, leach into surface and groundwater, impair aquatic invertebrates, disrupt pollinator behaviour and reproduction, and create indirect risks to food webs and ecosystem services. Remediation approaches, particularly microbial degradation, phytoremediation, advanced oxidation and nanomaterial-assisted removal, show promise but require further field validation. The review highlights the need for integrated pest management, routine environmental monitoring, stricter risk-based regulation and development of safer pest-control alternatives.

Key words: Aquatic system; Neonicotinoid; Insecticides; Impact; Soil, pesticides.