Tylosin sorption to silty clay loam soils, swine manure, and sand

The objectives of this study were to assess sorption and desorption of tylosin, a macrolide antimicrobial chemical used in swine, cattle, and poultry production, in three silty clay loam soils of South Dakota and compare soil sorption to sand and manure sorption. The silty clay loam soils, from a toposequence in eastern South Dakota, standardized sand samples, and swine manure were used in 24-h batch sorption studies with tylosin concentrations ranging from 25 to 232 micro mole/L. Desorption from soil was conducted over a four-day period. Partition coefficients, based on the Freundlich isotherm (K(f)) or K(d) values, were calculated. K(f) values for the silty clay loams were similar, not influenced by landscape position, and averaged 1,350 with isotherm slopes ranging from 0.85 to 0.93. K(f) values for sand were dependent on solution/sand ratios and pH, ranging from 1.4 to 25.1. K(d) values of manure were dependent on the solution type and ranged from 840 L/kg with urine to about 175 L/kg when sorbed from water. Desorption of tylosin from each soil over the four-day period was < 0.2% of the amount added. The soils' high K(f) values and low desorption amounts suggest that once tylosin is in these soils, leaching to lower depths may not occur. However, this does not preclude runoff with soil eroded particles. If tylosin reaches a sand aquifer, through bypass flow or other mechanism(s), movement in the aquifer most likely would occur.     

Hydrolysis and soil sorption of insecticide pyraclofos

The hydrolysis of the insecticide pyraclofos in buffered solutions at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0, and its sorption on four soils of different physicochemical properties were investigated. The results showed that the degradation of pyraclofos in buffered solutions followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. At 40°C, the rate constants for the hydrolysis of pyraclofos at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 were 0.0214, 0.1293, and 2.1656 d^?1, respectively. Pyraclofos was relatively stable under both acidic and neutral conditions, while it was readily hydrolyzed under basic conditions. The sorption of pyraclofos on four soils was well described by the Freundlich equation. The sorption constant, K _f, increased with an increase in soil organic carbon content, suggesting that organic carbon content was an important factor affecting sorption. The K _oc values for Xiaoshan clay loam soil, Hangzhou I clay loam soil, Hangzhou II soil, and Fuyang silt loam soil were 30.4, 6.7, 5.3, and 7.1, respectively. These results suggest that the sorption of pyraclofos on the tested soils was relatively weak.     

Effect of moisture and compost on fate of azoxystrobin in soils

The effect of compost-amendment and moisture status on the persistence of azoxystrobin [methyl (E)-2-{2-(6-(2-cyanophenoxy) pyrimidin-4-yloxy) phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate], a strobilurin fungicide, in two rice-growing soils was studied. Azoxystrobin is more sorbed in the silt loam (K _f – 4.66) soil than the sandy loam (K _f – 2.98) soil. Compost-amendment at 5 % levels further enhanced the azoxystrobin sorption and the respective K _f values in silt loam and sandy loam soils were 8.48 and 7.6. Azoxystrobin was more persistent in the sandy loam soil than the silt loam soil. The half–life values of azoxystrobin in nonflooded and flooded silt loam soil were 54.7 and 46.3 days, respectively. The corresponding half–life values in the sandy loam soils were 64 and 62.7 days, respectively. Compost application enhanced persistence of azoxystrobin in the silt loam soil under both moisture regimes and half-life values in non–flooded and flooded soils were 115.7 and 52.8 days, respectively. However, compost enhanced azoxystrobin degradation in the sandy loam soil and half-life values were 59 (nonflooded) and 54.7 days (flooded). The study indicates that compost amendment enhanced azoxystrobin sorption in the soils. Azoxystrobin is more persistent in non-flooded soils than the flooded soils. Compost applications to soils had mixed effect on the azoxystrobin degradation.     

Sorption of 3,4-dichloroaniline on four contrasting Greek agricultural soils and the effect of liming

Sorption of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) on four typical Greek agricultural soils, with distinct texture, organic matter content and cation exchange capacities, was compared by using sorption isotherms and the parameters calculated from the fitted Freundlich equations. The sorption process of 3,4-DCA to the soil was completed within 48–72 h. The 3,4-DCA sorption on all soils was well described by the Freundlich equation and all sorption isotherms were of the L-type. The sandy clay loam soil with the highest organic matter content and a slightly acidic pH was the most sorptive, whereas the two other soil types, a high organic matter and neutral pH clay and a low organic matter and acidic loam, had an intermediate sorption capacity. A typical calcareous soil with low organic matter had the lowest sorption capacity which was only slightly higher than that of river sand. The 3,4-DCA sorption correlated best to soil organic matter content and not to clay content or cation exchange capacity, indicating the primary role of organic matter. The distribution coefficient (K _d) decreased with increasing initial 3,4-DCA concentration and the reduction was most pronounced with the highly sorptive sandy clay loam soil, suggesting that the available sorption sites of the soils are not unlimited. Liming of the two acidic soils (the sandy clay loam and the loam) raised their pH (from 6.2 and 5.3, respectively) to 7.8 and reduced their sorption capacity by about 50 %, indicating that soil pH may be the second in importance factor (after organic matter) determining 3,4-DCA sorption.     

Herbicide movement and dissipation at four midwestern sites

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate atrazine (2‐chloro‐4‐ethylamino‐6‐isopropyl‐1, 3, 5‐triazine) and alachlor (2‐chIoro‐N‐(methoxymethyl)acetamide) dissipation and movement to shallow aquifers across the Northern Sand Plains region of the United States. Sites were located at Minnesota on a Zimmerman fine sand, North Dakota on Hecla sandy loam, South Dakota on a Brandt silty clay loam, and Wisconsin on a Sparta sand. Herbicide concentrations were determined in soil samples taken to 90 cm four times during the growing season and water samples taken from the top one m of aquifer at least once every three months. Herbicides were detected to a depth of 30 cm in Sparta sand and 90 cm in all other soils. Some aquifer samples from each site contained atrazine with the highest concentration in the aquifer beneath the Sparta sand (1.28 μg L^‐1). Alachlor was detected only once in the aquifer at the SD site. The time to 50% atrazine dissipation (DT₅₀) in the top 15 cm of soil averaged about 21 d in Sparta and Zimmerman sands and more than 45 d for Brandt and Hecla soils. Atrazine DT₅₀ was correlated positively with % clay and organic carbon (OC), and negatively with % fine sand. Alachlor DT₅₀ ranged from 12 to 32 d for Zimmerman and Brandt soils, respectively, and was correlated negatively with % clay and OC and positively with % sand.     

Sorption-desorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl and sulfosulfuron in soils

Sorption of metsulfuron-methyl and sulfosulfuron were studied in five Indian soils using batch sorption method. Freundlich adsorption equation described the sorption of herbicides with K_f (adsorption coefficient) values ranging between 0.21 and 1.88 (metsulfuron-methyl) and 0.37 and 1.17 (sulfosulfuron). Adsorption isotherms were L-type suggesting that the herbicides sorption decreased with increase in the initial concentration of the herbicide in the solution. The K_f for metsulfuron-methyl showed good positive correlation with silt content (significant at p = 0.01) and strong negative correlation with the soil pH (significant at p = 0.05) while sorption of sulfosulfuron did not correlate with any of the soil parameter. Desorption of herbicides was concentration dependent and, in general, sulfosulfuron showed higher desorption than the metsulfuron-methyl. The study indicates that these herbicides are poorly sorbed in the Indian soil types and there may be a possibility of their leaching to lower soil profiles.     

Adsorption-desorption and leaching of pyraclostrobin in Indian soils

Pyraclostrobin is a new broad-spectrum foliar applied and seed protectant fungicide of the strobilurin group. In this paper, adsorption-desorption of pyraclostrobin has been investigated in three different soils viz. Inceptisol (sandy loam, Delhi), Vertisol (sandy clay, Hyderabad) and Ultisol (sandy clay loam, Thrissur). Effect of organic matter and clay content on sorption was also studied in Inceptisol of Delhi. Leaching potential of pyraclostrobin as influenced by rainfall was studied in intact soil columns to confirm the results of adsorption-desorption studies. The adsorption studies were carried out at initial concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 μg mL^?1. The distribution coefficient (K_d) values in three test soils ranged from 4.91 to 18.26 indicating moderate to high adsorption. Among the three test soils, adsorption was the highest in Ultisol (K_d 18.26), followed by Vertisol (K_d 9.87) and Inceptisol (K_d 4.91). K_F value was also highest for Ultisol soil (66.21), followed by Vertisol (40.88) and Inceptisol (8.59). S-type adsorption isotherms were observed in all the three test soils. K_d values in organic carbon-removed soil and clay-removed soil were 3.57 and 2.83 respectively, indicating lower adsorption than normal Inceptisol. Desorption studies were carried out at initial concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 μg mL^?1. Desorption was the greatest in Inceptisol, followed by Vertisol and Ultisol. Amounts of pyraclostrobin desorbed in three desorption cycles for different concentrations were 23.1–25.3%, 9.4–20.7% and 8.1–13.6% in Inceptisol, Vertisol and Ultisol respectively. Desorption was higher in clay fraction-removed and organic carbonremoved soils than normal Inceptisol. Desorption was slower than adsorption in all the test soils, indicating hysteresis effect (with hysteresis coefficient values varying from 0.05 to 0.20). Low values of hysteresis coefficient suggest high hysteresis effect indicating easy and strong adsorption, and slow desorption, of pyraclostrobin in soils. Higher hysteresis coefficient values in organic carbon removed soil (0.25–0.30) and clay fraction removed soil (0.28–0.36) as compared to normal Inceptisol soil suggest relatively weak adsorption and easy desorption of pyraclostrobin. Results of regression analysis suggest that the organic matter and pH of the soil play a major role in adsorption of pyraclostrobin. Leaching studies were carried out in intact soil columns in Inceptisol. The columns were leached with different amounts of water simulating different amounts of rainfall. The results suggest that most of the pyraclostrobin residues will remain present in the top soil layers even under high rainfall conditions and chances of pyraclostrobin moving to lower soil depth are almost negligible.     

Sorption–desorption of indaziflam and its three metabolites in sandy soils

Indaziflam is a relatively new herbicide for which sorption–desorption information is lacking, and nothing is available on its metabolites. Information is needed on the multiple soil and pesticide characteristics known to influence these processes. For four soils, the order of sorption was indaziflam (N-[1R,2S)-2,3-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-1H-inden-1-yl]-6-[(1R)-1-fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (sandy clay loam: K_f = 5.9, 1/n_f = 0.7, K_foc = 447; sandy loam: K_f = 3.9, 1/n_f = 0.9, K_foc = 276) > triazine indanone metabolite (N-[(1R,2S)-2,3-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-1H-inden-1-yl]-6-[(1R)-1-fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (sandy clay loam: K_f = 2.1, 1/n_f = 0.8, K_foc = 177; sandy loam: K_f = 1.7, 1/n_f = 0.9, K_foc = 118) > fluoroethyldiaminotriazine metabolite (6-[(1R-1-Fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (sandy clay loam: K_f = 0.3, 1/n_f = 0.9, K_foc = 28; sandy loam: K_f = 0.3, 1/n_f = 0.9, K_foc = 22) = indaziflam carboxylic acid metabolite (2S,3R)-3-[[4-amino-6-[(1R)-1-fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-indene-5-carboxylic acid) (sandy clay loam: K_f = 0.3, 1/n_f = 0.9, K_foc = 22; sandy loam: K_f = 0.5, 1/n_f = 0.8, K_foc = 32). The metabolites being more polar than the parent compound showed lower sorption. Desorption was hysteretic for indaziflam and triazine indanone metabolite, but not for the other two metabolites. Unsaturated transient flow K_d's were lower than batch K_d's for indaziflam, but similar for fluoroethyldiaminotriazine metabolite. Batch K_d's would overpredict potential offsite transport if desorption hysteresis is not taken into account.     

Sorption and leaching of flucetosulfuron in soil

Abstract

The adsorption–desorption and leaching of flucetosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, was investigated in three Indian soils. Freundlich adsorption isotherm described the sorption mechanism of herbicide with adsorption coefficients (K_f) ranging from 17.13 to 27.99 and followed the order: Clayey loam?>?Loam?>?Sandy loam. The K_f showed positive correlation with organic carbon (OC) (r?=?0.910) and clay content (r?=?0.746); but, negative correlation with soil pH (r = ?0.635). The adsorption isotherms were S-type suggesting that herbicide adsorption was concentration dependent and increased with increase in concentration. Desorption followed the sequence: sandy loam?>?clayey loam?>?loam . Hysteresis (H) was observed in all the three soils with H?<?1. Leaching of flucetosulfuron correlated positively with the soil pH; but, negatively with the OC content. Sandy loam soil (OC- 0.40%, pH ?7.25) registered lowest adsorption and highest leaching of flucetosulfuron while lowest leaching was found in the loam soil (pH ? 7.89, OC ? 0.65%). The leaching losses of herbicide increased with increase in the rainfall intensity. This study suggested that the soil OC content, pH and clay content played important roles in deciding the adsorption–desorption and leaching behavior of flucetosulfuron in soils.     

Paraquat Adsorption,Degradation, and Remobilization in Tropical Soils of Thailand

Paraquat adsorption, degradation, and remobilization were investigated in representative tropical soils of Yom River Basin, Thailand. Adsorption of paraquat in eight soil samples using batch equilibration techniques indicated that adsorption depended on soil characteristics, including exchangeable basic cations and iron content. Multiple regression analysis indicated significant contribution of exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP), total iron content (TFe) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) to paraquat sorption (Q). ESP and TFe were significant at all adsorption stages, whereas ESP was significant only at the initial stage of paraquat adsorption. Adsorption studies using two soils representing clay and sandy loam textures showed that paraquat adsorption followed the Freundlich model, exhibiting a nonlinear sorption curve. Paraquat adsorption was higher in the clay soil compared to the sandy loam soil with K _f values of 787 and 18, respectively. Desorption was low with 0.04 to 0.17% and 0.80 to 5.83% desorbed in clay and sandy loam soil, respectively, indicating some hysteresis effect. Time-dependent paraquat adsorption fitted to the Elovich kinetic model indicated that diffusion was a rate-limiting process. Paraquat mobility and degradation studies conducted using both field and laboratory soil column experiments with clay soil showed low mobility of paraquat with accumulation only in the surface 0–5 cm layer under field conditions and in the 0–1 cm layer in a laboratory soil column experiment. Degradation of paraquat in soil was faster under field conditions than at ambient laboratory conditions. The degradation rate followed a first-order kinetic model with the DT₅₀ at 36–46 days and DT₉₀ around 119–152 days.     

Sorptive interactions and binding of δ‐endotoxin protein from bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki inforest soils

Abstract

The adsorption, desorption and binding of the insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk toxin) onto autoclaved sandy and clay loam forest soils were studied at 23°C in a buffer medium (pH 10.2) using the precipitated protein mixture (active + inactive) obtained from a commercial Btk formulation. The active protein in the buffer solution was quantified by ELISA technique. Maximum adsorption of the toxin onto the sandy (301 μg/g) and clay (474 μg/g) loam soils was found to occur after 3 and 4 hours of agitation, respectively. Adsorption of the toxin was higher in the clay loam soil than in sandy loam. Adsorption parameters were calculated using the Freundlich and linear isotherm equations. The K_F and 1/n values for the soils were 1.12 and 1.48 (sandy), and 20.42 and 0.874 (clay), respectively, indicating stronger affinity of the toxin for the clay compared to the sandy loam soil. The linear model showed deviations at higher concentrations, nevertheless using the best fit, K_D and K_OC values were computed for the two soils. For sandy loam, the K_D and K_OC values were 9.38 and 391, respectively; the corresponding values for clay loam were 13.19 and 425, confirming the higher sorption affinity of the toxin for clay loam. The adsorption data did not fit the Langmuir equation because of heterogeneity of the soil surface. Desorption studies showed that more than half of the adsorbed toxic protein remained firmly attached to sandy (162.6 μg/g or 54.5%) and clay (314.0 μg/g or 67.4%) loam soils after six 0.5‐h washes (total 3.0 h wash time). Although the toxin appears to be a non‐leacher, its lateral mobility, soil persistence and biological consequences, including bioavailability of the bound residues, are poorly understood and require further investigation.     

Sorption and mobility of metronidazole, olaquindox, oxytetracycline and tylosin in soil

Laboratory studies were conducted to characterise four different antibiotic compounds with regard to sorption and mobility in various soil types. Distribution coefficients (Kd values) determined by a batch equilibrium method varied between 0.5 and 0.7 for metronidazole, 0.7 and 1.7 for olaquindox and 8 and 128 for tylosin. Tylosin sorption seems to correlate positively with the soil clay content. No other significant interactions between soil characteristics and sorption were observed. Oxytetracycline was particularly strongly sorbed in all soils investigated, with Kd values between 417 in sand soil and 1026 in sandy loam, and no significant desorption was observed. Soil column leaching experiments indicated large differences in the mobility of the four antibiotic substances, corresponding to their respective sorption capabilities. For the weakly adsorbed substances metronidazole and olaquindox the total amounts added were recovered in the leachate of both sandy loam and sand soils. For the strongly adsorbed oxytetracyline and tylosin nothing was detected in the leachate of any of the soil types, indicating a much lower mobility. Results from defractionation and extraction of the columns (30 cm length) showed that 60-80% of the tylosin added had been leached to a depth of 5 cm in the sandy loam soil and 25 cm in the sand soil.     

Land application of tylosin and chlortetracycline swine manure: Impacts to soil nutrients and soil microbial community structure

The land application of aged chortetracycle (CTC) and tylosin-containing swine manure was investigated to determine associated impacts to soil microbial respiration, nutrient (phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate) cycling, and soil microbial community structure under laboratory conditions. Two silty clay loam soils common to southeastern South Dakota were used. Aerobic soil respiration results using batch reactors containing a soil-manure mixture showed that interactions between soil, native soil microbial populations, and antimicrobials influenced CO₂ generation. The aged tylosin treatment resulted in the greatest degree of CO₂ inhibition, while the aged CTC treatment was similar to the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil columns in which manure was applied at a one-time agronomic loading rate, there was no significant difference in soil-P behavior between either aged CTC or tylosin and the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil-nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), the aged CTC treatment resulted in rapid ammonium accumulation at the deeper 40cm soil column depth, while nitrate production was minimal. The aged CTC treatment microbial community structure was different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, where amines/amide and carbohydrate chemical guilds utilization profile were low. The aged tylosin treatment also resulted in ammonium accumulation at 40 cm column depth, however nitrate accumulation also occurred concurrently at 10 cm. The microbial community structure for the aged tylosin was also significantly different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, with a higher degree of amines/amides and carbohydrate chemical guild utilization compared to the no-antimicrobial treatment. Study results suggest that land application of CTC and tylosin-containing manure appears to fundamentally change microbial-mediated nitrogen behavior within soil A horizons.     

Sorption–desorption of imidacloprid onto a lacustrine Egyptian soil and its clay and humic acid fractions

Sorption–desorption of the insecticide imidacloprid 1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine onto a lacustrine sandy clay loam Egyptian soil and its clay and humic acid (HA) fractions was investigated in 24-h batch equilibrium experiments. Imidacloprid (IMDA) sorption–desorption isotherms onto the three sorbents were found to belong to a non-linear L-type and were best described by the Freundlich model. The value of the IMDA adsorption distribution coefficient, Kd_ads, varied according to its initial concentration and was ranged 40–84 for HA, 14–58 for clay and 1.85–4.15 for bulk soil. Freundlich sorption coefficient, Kf_ads, values were 63.0, 39.7 and 4.0 for HA, clay and bulk soil, respectively. The normalized soil Koc value for imidacloprid sorption was ～800 indicating its slight mobility in soils. Nonlinear sorption isotherms were indicated by 1/n_ads values <1 for all sorbents. Values of the hysteresis index (H) were <1, indicating the irreversibility of imidacloprid sorption process with all tested sorbents. Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values indicated a spontaneous and physicosorption process for IMDA and a more favorable sorption to HA than clay and soil. In conclusion, although the humic acid fraction showed the highest capacity and affinity for imidacloprid sorption, the clay fraction contributed to approximately 95% of soil-sorbed insecticide. Clay and humic acid fractions were found to be the major two factors controlling IMDA sorption in soils. The slight mobility of IMDA in soils and the hysteresis phenomenon associated with the irreversibility of its sorption onto, mainly, clay and organic matter of soils make its leachability unlikely to occur.     

Herbicide movement and dissipation at four Midwestern sites

This study was conducted to evaluate atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine) and alachlor (2-chloro-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide) dissipation and movement to shallow aquifers across the Northern Sand Plains region of the United States. Sites were located at Minnesota on a Zimmerman fine sand, North Dakota on Hecla sandy loam, South Dakota on a Brandt silty clay loam, and Wisconsin on a Sparta sand. Herbicide concentrations were determined in soil samples taken to 90 cm four times during the growing season and water samples taken from the top one m of aquifer at least once every three months. Herbicides were detected to a depth of 30 cm in Sparta sand and 90 cm in all other soils. Some aquifer samples from each site contained atrazine with the highest concentration in the aquifer beneath the Sparta sand (1.28 microg L(-1)). Alachlor was detected only once in the aquifer at the SD site. The time to 50% atrazine dissipation (DT50) in the top 15 cm of soil averaged about 21 d in Sparta and Zimmerman sands and more than 45 d for Brandt and Hecla soils. Atrazine DT50 was correlated positively with % clay and organic carbon (OC), and negatively with % fine sand. Alachlor DT50 ranged from 12 to 32 d for Zimmerman and Brandt soils, respectively, and was correlated negatively with % clay and OC and positively with % sand.     

Chlortetracycline and tylosin runoff from soils treated with antimicrobial containing manure

This study assessed the runoff potential of tylosin and chlortetracycline (CTC) from soils treated with manure from swine fed rations containing the highest labeled rate of each chemical. Slurry manures from the swine contained either CTC at 108 μ g/g or tylosin at 0.3 μ g/g. These manures were surface applied to clay loam, silty clay loam, and silt loam soils at a rate of 0.22 Mg/ha. In one trial, tylosin was applied directly to the soil surface to examine runoff potential of water and chemical when manure was not present. Water was applied using a sprinkler infiltrometer 24-hr after manure application with runoff collected incrementally every 5 min for about 45 min. A biofilm crust formed on all manure-treated surfaces and infiltration was impeded with > 70% of the applied water collected as runoff. The total amount of CTC collected ranged from 0.9 to 3.5% of the amount applied whereas tylosin ranged from 8.4 to 12%. These data indicate that if surface-applied manure contains antimicrobials, runoff could lead to offsite contamination.     

Degradation and sorption of imidacloprid in dissimilar surface and subsurface soils

Degradation and sorption/desorption are important processes affecting the leaching of pesticides through soil. This research characterized the degradation and sorption of imidacloprid (1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) in Drummer (silty clay loam) and Exeter (sandy loam) surface soils and their corresponding subsurface soils using sequential extraction methods over 400 days. By the end of the incubation, approximately 55% of imidacloprid applied at a rate of 1.0 mg kg^?1 degraded in the Exeter sandy loam surface and subsurface soils, compared to 40% of applied imidacloprid within 300 days in Drummer surface and subsurface soils. At the 0.1 mg kg^?1 application rate, dissipation was slower for all four soils. Water-extractable imidacloprid in Exeter surface soil decreased from 98% of applied at day 1 to > 70% of the imidacloprid remaining after 400 d, as compared to 55% in the Drummer surface soil at day 1 and 12% at day 400. These data suggest that imidacloprid was bioavailable to degrading soil microorganisms and sorption/desorption was not the limiting factor for biodegradation. In subsurface soils > 40% of ¹⁴C-benzoic acid was mineralized over 21 days, demonstrating an active microbial community. In contrast, cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ was less than 1.5% of applied ¹⁴C-imidacloprid in all soils over 400 d. Qualitative differences in the microbial communities appear to limit the degradation of imidacloprid in the subsurface soils.     

Effect of fly ash on metsulfuron-methyl sorption and leaching in soils

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of amendment of two fly ashes [Kota and Inderprastha (IP)] on sorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl in three Indian soil types. Kota fly ash (5%) did not show any effect on herbicide sorption while IP fly ash significantly enhanced the sorption. Further studies on metsulfuron-methyl sorption-desorption behavior in 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% IP fly ash-amended soils suggested that effect of fly ash varied with soil type and better effect was observed in low organic carbon content soils. The sorption-desorption isotherms fitted very well to the Freundlich sorption equation and, in general, slope (1/n) values less than unity were observed. Metsulfuron-methyl sorption in the IP fly ash-amended soils showed strong correlation with the fly ash content and compared to the Freundlich sorption constant (K _f), K _FA values (sorption normalized to fly ash content) showed less variation. Metsulfuron-methyl leaching studies suggested greater retention of herbicide in the application zone in IP fly ash-amended soils, but effect varied with soil type and no herbicide leaching was observed in 5% fly ash-amended soils. The study suggested that all coal fly ashes are not effective in enhancing the sorption of metsulfuron-methyl in soils. However, one which enhanced herbicide sorption, could play an important role in reducing its leaching losses.     

Sorption of acidic organic solute onto kaolinitic soils from methanol-water mixtures

The fate of the acidic organic solute from the soil-water-solvent system is not well-understood. In this study, the effect of the acidic functional group of organic solute in the sorption from cosolvent system was evaluated. The sorption of naphthalene (NAP) and 1-naphthoic acid (1-NAPA) by three kaolinitic soils and two model sorbents (kaolinite and humic acid) were measured as functions of the methanol volume fractions (f _c ≤ 0.4) and ionic compositions (CaCl₂ and KCl). The solubility of 1-NAPA was also measured in various ionic compositions. The sorption data were interpreted using the cosolvency-induced sorption model. The K _m values (= the linear sorption coefficient) of NAP with kaolinitic soil for both ionic compositions was log linearly decreased with f _c. However, the K _m values of 1-NAPA with both ionic compositions remained relatively constant over the f _c range. For the model sorbent, the K _m values of 1-NAPA with kaolinite for the KCl system and with humic acid for both ionic compositions decreased with f _c, while the sorption of 1-NAPA with kaolinite for the CaCl₂ system was increased with f _c. From the solubility data of 1-NAPA with f _c, no significant difference was observed with the different ionic compositions, indicating an insignificant change in the aqueous activity of the liquid phase. In conclusion, the enhanced 1-NAPA sorption, greater than that predicted from the cosolvency-induced model, was due to an untraceable interaction between the carboxylate and hydrophilic soil domain in the methanol-water system. Therefore, in order to accurately predict the environmental fate of acidic pesticides and organic solutes, an effort to quantitatively incorporate the enhanced hydrophilic sorption into the current cosolvency-induced sorption model is required.     

Soil pollution by petroleum products, III. Kerosene stability in soil columns as affected by volatilization

The stability of kerosene in soils as affected by volatization was determined in a laboratory column experiment by following the losses in the total concentration and the change in composition of the residuals in a dune sand, a loamy sand, and a silty loam soil during a 50-day period. Seven major compounds ranging between C₉ and C₁₅ were selected from a large variety of hydrocarbons forming kerosene and their presence in the remaining petroleum product was determined. The change in composition of kerosene during the experimental period was determined by gas chromatography and related to the seven major compounds selected. The experimental conditions — air-dairy soil and no subsequent addition of water—excluded both biodegradative and leaching. losses.The losses of kerosene in air-dried soil columns during the 50-day experimental period and the changes in the composition of the remaining residues due to volatilization are reported. The volatilization of all the components determined was greater from the dune sand and loamy sand soils than from the silty loam soil. It was assumed that the reason for this behavior was that the dune sand and the loamy sand soils contain a greater proportion of large pores (>4.5 μm) than the silty loam soil, even though the total porosity of the loamy sand and the silty loam is similar. In all the soils in the experiment, the components with a high carbon number formed the main fraction of the kerosene residues after 50 days of incubation.