Rising herbicide use in the cereal-growing zones of western Burkina Faso has raised concerns about soil contamination and associated ecotoxicological risks. This study assesses soil contamination by thirteen herbicides commonly used in cereal cultivation across twelve localities in four regions of western Burkina Faso during a single agricultural season. Soil samples were collected in two phases: the first during herbicide applications and the second three months later. Residues were extracted using an adapted QuEChERS method and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicate spatiotemporally heterogeneous contamination, with maximum concentrations reaching 6,967 µg/kg for nicosulfuron and 1,027 µg/kg for mesotrione. Comparison with maximum allowable concentrations / predicted no-effect concentrations for soil (MAC/PNEC_soil) shows notable exceedances by factors of 10–700—signaling high risk for soil organisms and sensitive crops. Certain compounds, such as atrazine, terbuthylazine and bensulfuron-methyl, exhibit high persistence, whereas others, including nicosulfuron and prometryn, dissipate more rapidly. These findings underscore the urgency of tighter stewardship of phytosanitary practices, the implementation of sustainable management measures, and the integration of international benchmark thresholds into agricultural soil monitoring frameworks.

Malaria remains a major public health issue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with limited entomological data on mosquito species composition in some regions. This study investigates the mosquito species composition in Tushunguti, Kalehe Territory, with a particular focus on Anopheles funestus s.s. and Anopheles gambiae s.s. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps and pyrethrum spray catches. Morphological identification was supplemented by molecular techniques (PCR) to confirm species identities. A total of 245 mosquitoes were collected, with Culex species being the most abundant (n=150), followed by Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae. Molecular analysis identified 49 Anopheles funestus s.s. and 20 Anopheles gambiae s.s. specimens. The human biting rate (HBR) for An. funestus was significantly higher (0.071 bites/person/night) compared to An. gambiae (0.028). These results suggest that An. funestus plays a dominant role in malaria transmission in the area, particularly in indoor environments. The co-occurrence of both species underlines the need for targeted vector control strategies that address species-specific behavior and distribution. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous entomological surveillance to adapt malaria interventions based on local vector dynamics.