Comparison of the droplet size spectra produced by rotary atomizers and hydraulic nozzles under simulated aerial application conditions

Abstract

A wind tunnel was used to characterize the droplet size spectra of liquid sprays from several different atomizers and nozzles used under simulated aerial application conditions. The atomizers included a D8–46 nozzle, a Through Valve Boom (TVB) nozzle, and rotary cage and drum atomizers.

The D8–46 hydraulic nozzle was evaluated, using water, at orientations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90° relative to 145 and 180 km/h airstreams. The TVB nozzle was evaluated using water, water with isopropyl alcohol, and water with a non‐ionic surfactant at airstream velocities between 130 and 180 km/h. The rotary atomizers were evaluated at different rotation rates, flow rates of water and an insecticide, in 130 and 180 km/h airstreams.

The volumetric droplet size spectra parameters (D_vo.x) decreased as the angle of the D8–46 nozzle and the airstream velocity increased. Empirical models were developed to predict these values for different windspeed and nozzle angle conditions. The TVB nozzle produced larger droplets than the other atomizers under similar conditions, with a decrease in the D_vo.x parameter values as the airstream velocity increased.

The D_vo.x parameter values produced by the rotary atomizers increased as the liquid flow rate increased, and as the rotation rate and airstream velocity decreased, and were lower for the insecticide than for water. The slotted rotary drum atomizer gave the best control over droplet size, generally producing mono‐modal droplet size spectra where the other atomizers often produced bi‐ and multimodal spectra.     

Agrochemical spray drift; assessment and mitigation--a review

During application of agrochemicals spray droplets can drift beyond the intended target to non-target receptors, including water, plants and animals. Factors affecting this spray drift include mode of application, droplet size, which can be modified by the nozzle types, formulation adjuvants, wind direction, wind speed, air stability, relative humidity, temperature and height of released spray relative to the crop canopy. The rate of fall of spray droplets depends upon the size of the droplets but is modified by entrainment in a mobile air mass and is also influenced by the rate of evaporation of the liquid constituting the aerosol. The longer the aerosol remains in the air before falling to the ground (or alternatively striking an object above ground) the greater the opportunity for it to be carried away from its intended target. In general, all size classes of droplets are capable of movement off target, but the smallest are likely to move the farthest before depositing on the ground or a non-target receptor. It is not possible to avoid spray drift completely but it can be minimized by using best-management practices. These include using appropriate nozzle types, shields, spray pressure, volumes per area sprayed, tractor speed and only spraying when climatic conditions are suitable. Field layout can also influence spray drift, whilst crop-free and spray-free buffer zones and windbreak crops can also have a mitigating effect. Various models are available to estimate the environmental exposure from spray drift at the time of application.     

Influence of surfactants and polymeric adjuvants on physicochemical properties, droplet size spectra and deposition of fenitrothion and Bacillus thuringiensis formulations under laboratory conditions

The effect of two surfactants and two polymeric adjuvants on droplet size spectra and deposition patterns of nine spray formulations was investigated following atomization in a laboratory chamber using a spinning disc atomizer that can produce a narrow droplet size spectrum. Spray droplets were sampled using Kromekote cards and deposit recoveries were examined on glass plates. Physicochemical properties studied were: viscosity-shear rate relationship, surface tension, volatility, pH, conductance, electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential. Formulations containing low surfactant concentrations provided Newtonian liquids with low viscosities. These liquids atomized into small droplets and provided low recoveries of spray deposits on sampling units. However, formulations containing polymeric adjuvants, and a high concentration of a non-ionic surfactant provided pseudoplastic liquids with high viscosities. These formulations resulted in large droplets with high recoveries of spray deposits on sampling units. Among the physicochemical properties studied, viscosity, surface tension, volatility and electrophoretic mobility, played important roles on liquid atomization and droplet deposition.     

Spray atomization characteristics as a function of pesticide formulations and atomizer design

Abstract

The use of formulation adjuvants to increase the drop size of pesticide sprays has followed a practice which has evolved through many years of experimentation and development. The earliest materials used were simply designed to make the spray mix viscous on the premise that a mayonnaise‐like fluid would produce larger drops and hence increase the deposit efficiency. These viscomer materials, emulsions and water soluble thickeners such as starch and agars, as well as more complex cellulose materials, produced thick non‐Newtonian fluids which were difficult to mix, pump and spray, and provided questionable results. First, the larger drops reduced target coverage from a given volume of spray; and second, field tests with these definitely showed that a large volume of small drops were still being produced even with the thickest of formulations.

The next step in adjuvant evolution was the introduction of polyvinyl, polyacrylamide and polyamide elastomer materials. These polymers are also non‐Newtonian, but due to their peculiar molecular bonding, they have the capability of forming long string‐like streams which when atomized can retract into a spray of large drops. Pure forms of these polymers are blended by commercial producers to enable compatibility with pesticide chemicals. We have conducted a series of laboratory and wind tunnel tests; first, to try and establish some physical parameters identifying their characteristics and second, to determine how these adjuvants affect atomization and the production of small drift‐prone drops (i.e., those smaller than 120 μm in diameter).

Our results with the laboratory studies of physical properties and of the wind tunnel drop size tests have been inconclusive. The elastomer materials have relatively low viscosity (1.5 to 6 mPa.s) and reduced surface tension (50 to 60 mN/m) but our stream‐flow extension tests were non‐productive. The drop size studies comparing water sprays with polymer‐water mixtures gave us a mixed picture. Generally drop size was increased for all of the fan (deflector and milled orifice) and cone type atomizers. But an increase was also indicated of the volume of spray in drops less than 120 μm showing that the polymer did not fully control the production of these small drops under all of the testing procedures we studied.

It is difficult to evaluate the capability of these additives for controlling or reducing production of the drift‐prone small drops. While the pure solutions of the water soluble polymers would appear to be capable of this desirable effect, it is also evident that in order to make these formulations compatible with pesticide spray solutions, several other solvents, emulsifiers and surface active chemicals are added to the formulation, thus affecting the atomization characteristics and hence their drift‐control capability.     

Influence of adjuvants on physicochemical properties, droplet size spectra and deposit patterns: relevance in pesticide applications

The influence of adjuvants on physicochemical properties, droplet size spectra and deposit patterns of five aqueous spray mixtures was studied under laboratory conditions, using two surfactants, Atlox 3409F and Triton X-114; two humectants, propylene glycol and glycerol; and one polymeric adjuvant, Agrisol FL-100F. For the sake of comparison, two fenitrothion formulations containing polymeric adjuvants, and water were also included in the study. Spray was applied at 25 degrees C and 75 +/- 5% relative humidity, in an enclosure using a twin fluid atomizer. Deposits were collected on Kromekote card/glass plate units. Physicochemical properties studied were: relative viscosity, surface tension, apparent viscosity-shear rate relationship, volatility, pH and conductance. The first four of these properties played significant roles on the droplet and deposit patterns on sampling units. However, the chemical nature of the adjuvants also played some role. Between the two surfactants tested, Triton X-114 provided a pseudoplastic medium, but both surfactant solutions provided similar droplet size spectra and deposit patterns. Between the two humectants, glycerol proved to be more advantageous than propylene glycol. The polymeric adjuvant provided droplet sizes similar to those of the two surfactants, although the recovery of the applied spray volume was higher. Among the two fenitrothion formulations, the one containing lower amounts of polymeric adjuvants showed some advantages, although deposits on the actual biological target should be examined before any definite conclusions can be drawn on the optimum adjuvant concentrations in end-use formulations.     

Rain‐washing of mimic®, RH‐5992, from balsam fir foliage following application of two formulations

Abstract

Two formulation concentrates of the insecticide, RH‐5992 [N'‐t‐butyl‐N'‐(3,5‐dimethylbenzoyl)‐N‐(4‐ethylbenzoyI) hydrazine], an aqueous flowable (2F) and an emulsion‐suspension (ES), were diluted with water to provide spray mixes containing dosage rates ranging from 35 to 150 g of the active ingredient (AI)/ha. The mixes were sprayed in a laboratory chamber, onto balsam fir branch tips collected from field trees and greenhouse‐grown seedlings. Droplet spectra and spray mass recovery were determined on artificial samplers. Simulated rainfall of two different intensities was applied at different rain‐free periods, and rain droplet sizes were determined. Foliar washoff of RH‐5992 was assessed after application of different amounts of rain, and the increase in soil residues was evaluated.

A direct relationship was indicated between the amount of rainfall and RH‐5992 washoff. The larger the rain droplet size, the greater the amount washed off. Longer rain‐free periods made the deposits more resistant to rain. Regardless of the amount of rainfall, rain droplet size and rain‐free period, foliar deposits of the 2F formulation were washed off to a greater extent than the ES formulation. The increase in soil residues due to foliar washoff was greater for the 2F than for the ES formulation. The deposits of the emulsion‐suspension were consistently more resistant to rain‐washing than those of the aqueous flowable formulation.     

Metabolism of gamma‐hexachlorocyclohexah (HCH) in vivo. Metabolism of orally administered gamma‐2,3,4,5,6‐pentachlorocyclohexen (PCCH)

Abstract

Mexacarbate (4‐dimethylamino‐3,5‐xylyl N‐methylcarbamate) insecticide has potential for use in spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) control operations in Canada. Its persistence and fate in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), litter and soil samples were studied by spraying aerially oil‐based and water‐based formulations, each at 70 g A.I./ha over a coniferous forest near Bathurst, New Brunswick. The oil‐based formulation gave the maximum concentration of the chemical in the substrates studied. In fir needles, the highest concentrations observed were 0.51 ppm and 0.19 ppm (fresh weight) for the oil‐based and emulsion formulations respectively, 1 h after application. The residue levels decreased very rapidly with a half‐life of approximately 5 h. Three and eight days after the spray application of the emulsion and oil formulations respectively, the concentrations of mexacarbate in foliage decreased to trace levels ( 0.008 ppm). Only very low levels of residue were detected in litter and soil. The peak concentrations for the two formulations ranged from 0.02 to 0.11 ppm (fresh weight) in litter and from 0.01 to 0.06 ppm (fresh weight) in soil. The residue levels in both litter and soil decreased to below the detection limit (0.005 ppm) within 1 d. The ground deposit levels found on glass plates and the droplet density and size spectra measured on Kromekote® cards reflected the variations in concentrations found in fir needles, litter and soil samples and correlated with the observed maximum concentrations in them. Under the stipulated use pattern, mexacarbate concentrations found in the terrestrial components studied were low and are not likely to have any undue adverse effects on non‐target species.     

A validated 2-D diffusion–advection model for prediction of drift from ground boom sprayers

Correct field drift prediction is a key element in environmental risk assessment of spraying applications. A reduced order drift prediction model based on the diffusion–advection equation is presented. It allows fast assessment of the drift potential of specific ground boom applications under specific environmental wind conditions that obey the logarithmic wind profile. The model was calibrated based on simulations with a validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Validation of both models against 38 carefully conducted field experiments is successfully performed for distances up to 20 m from the field edge, for spraying on flat pasture land. The reduced order model succeeded in correct drift predictions for different nozzle types, wind velocities, boom heights and spray pressures. It used 4 parameters representing the physical aspects of the drift cloud; the height of the cloud at the field edge, the mass flux crossing the field edge, the settling velocity of the droplets and the turbulence. For the parameter set and range considered, it is demonstrated for the first time that the effect of the droplet diameter distribution of the different nozzle types on the amount of deposition spray drift can be evaluated by a single parameter, i.e., the volume fraction of droplets with a diameter smaller than 191 μm. The reduced order model can be solved more than 4 orders of magnitude faster than the comprehensive CFD model.     

Deposition of aerially sprayed mexacarbate on balsam fir canopy and the forest floor: Relevance to ULV applications

Abstract

Spray deposit patterns were measured on aluminum coils and live balsam fir needles at different canopy heights, following aerial application of mexacarbate (4‐dimethylamino‐3,5‐xylyl N‐methylcarbamate) over a conifer forest in New Brunswick. Droplet size spectra of the spray cloud were determined on cylindrical Kromekote® cards placed at the corresponding crown heights. Ground deposits were collected on cylindrical Kromekote cards, aluminum coils and natural balsam fir foliage placed In forest clearings and under different types of vegetation.

Canopy deposits decreased progressively from the top to the bottom level of the tree crown. This trend was observed on aluminum coils, live fir foliage, and Kromekote cards. Droplet size spectra were similar at all sampling heights of the tree crown, and were comparable to those obtained on the ground cards placed in the forest clearings. Deposits of mexacarbate obtained on ground samplers on the open forest floor were markedly lower than those found at the top canopy but were similar to those at the mid or bottom canopy level. Droplet size spectra and mexacarbate deposits obtained on samplers placed under different types of forest vegetation indicated a selective filtration of the large droplets present in the spray cloud by plant canopies.     

Droplet size spectra and deposits of two aerially sprayed Bacillus thuringiensis formulations on artificial samplers and live foliage

Abstract

Two commercial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (BTK), Foray^® 48B and Thuricide^® 48LV, were applied aerially over nine spray blocks in a hardwood forest in West Virginia in 1991. Droplet spectra and spray mass deposits were determined using water‐sensitive paper strips (WSPS), glass micro‐fiber filters (GMFFs), glass plates and castor oil. Mass deposits of BTK were also assessed on natural foliage by two bioassay methods, i.e., feeding of homogenized foliage containing a starch‐sucrose solution and force‐feeding bioassay of foliar extracts containing re‐dissolved protein precipitate. Deposits on canopy foliage and ground samplers were also assessed by total protein assay and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Droplet spectra on the WSPS were different from those on castor oil. Droplets on horizontal ground WSPS were larger than those on vertical ground WSPS. WSPS placed at canopy level collected more droplets than those at ground level. The total protein deposits (ng/cm²) were consistently higher on all blocks than the delta‐endotoxin protein deposits. Spray mass recovery on the ground samplers were low, and ranged from 2.9 to 8.0% of the applied rates.     

Effect of in vitro administered 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on DNA-binding activities of nuclear transcription factors in NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts

Abstract

Most modern pesticides are expensive. Application of excessive dosage rates is likely to cause undesirable biological side‐effects and is economically wasteful. Non‐uniform distribution of the spray cloud, or application at the wrong time, may result in failure to control the pest. It is the responsibility of the field operator to acquire sufficient knowledge and skill to ensure proper use of the control agents, to increase efficiency of their usage and to reduce unwanted side‐effects. To achieve this goal, he must take into consideration the various physical factors that govern field performance of pesticides.

A simple relationship exists between the spray volume and emission rate used, and droplet size produced. The use of extremely low spray volumes (i.e., those less than 2.0 litre per ha) for forest insect control in Canada, as opposed to higher volumes used in agriculture, necessitates the release of fine droplets (ranging from 20 to 70 μm in diameter) to obtain adequate coverage of the target area. These droplets take a long time to sediment downwards, evaporate in‐flight, become smaller in size and/or form powdery residues, thus contributing to off‐target drift and impaired droplet adhesion to target surfaces. Physical factors such as rain washing, degradation by sunlight and erosion by wind also influence the longevity of pesticide deposits on foliage which is crucial during the critical period of pest control.

Factors affecting the mode of entry into insects are related to the type of ingredients used in formulation. If a pesticide acts via crawling contact, formulations which would provide surface deposits would be more beneficial than emulsions or oil‐based mixes which tend to undergo penetration into foliar cuticle. Physical factors that affect field performance of a pesticide tank mix are related to phase separation and ‘breakdown of emulsions’ in the application equipment; ‘agglomeration and caking’ of wettable powder dispersions at the bottom of the tank; impaired flow behaviour of highly viscous formulations; and coarse atomization of high‐viscosity tank mixes leading to poor target cover.     

Atmospheric loss of pesticides above an artificial vineyard during air-assisted spraying

A procedure to assess pesticide emission to the air and characterise possible air pollution sources was carried out using a tracer dye and 2 mm PVC lines during air-assisted spraying of an artificial vineyard. Three experiments were performed to evaluate the method feasibility, quantify upward movements of sprayed droplets and investigate the influence of microclimatic variables on pesticide emission. During each experiment two test series were carried out with two droplet size distributions (very fine and fine spray, according to the BCPC classification). The amount of sprayed liquid collected at 2.5 m above ground varied between 9.0% and 10.7% of the total dose applied for very fine spray and between 5.6% and 7.3% for fine spray. In stable atmospheric conditions the spray drifted along the mean wind direction over the crop whereas in unstable conditions the sprayed liquid plume was larger, with a greater amount of material sent to higher levels. A statistical model based on a simple multiple regression featuring droplet characteristics and microclimatic variables (wind speed, temperature, stability parameter and relative humidity) provided a robust estimate of spray loss just above the crop, with an acceptable determination coefficient (R²=0.84). This method is therefore suitable for quantifying spray drift and provides a way to study the influence of several variables on the amount of pesticide released into the atmosphere by air-assisted spraying, with suitable accuracy.     

Spray atomization and deposition patterns of one newtonian and two pseudoplastic formulations after aerial application over a mature conifer forest in Newfoundland

Abstract

Spray atomization and deposition patterns of three formulations were investigated in five aerial spray trials in Newfoundland, to understand the inter‐relationships between physical properties, drop size spectra and recovery of the spray volume at ground level. Diflubenzuron (DFB) was sprayed at 30 g active ingredient in 2.0 L/ha. Futura XLV (Fu‐XLV) and Thuricide® 48LV (Thu‐48LV), spray formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), were both applied undiluted at 30 BIU/ha, but in volume rates of 2.1 L/ha and 2.36 L/ha respectively. Each of the three formulations was applied over a 15 ha plot using a Piper Pawnee aircraft fitted with six Micronair® AU5000 atomizers. Spray drops were sampled with Kromekote® cards and deposits were collected on glass plates. Physical properties measured were: viscosity at variable shear rates, volatility and surface tension. The viscosities increased progressively from low (for DFB), moderate (for Thu‐48LV) to high (for Fu‐XLV) values, showing a gradual increase in pseudoplastic behaviour of the three formulations. The volatility data indicated an inverse relationship to the viscosities, but the surface tensions were similar for all the formulations.

The highly pseudoplastic Fu‐XLV atomized into the least wide drop size spectrum. The Newtonian formulation of DFB, on the other hand, atomized into the widest drop spectrum; and the moderately pseudoplastic Thu‐48LV, into an intermediate drop spectrum. Thus viscosity and volatility were more important factors in liquid atomization and drop deposition, than surface tension. Among the three meteorological factors measured, relative humidity appeared more important in drop deposition than did wind speed and temperature, within the range measured.     

气液两相旋流喷嘴雾化特性

为提高烟尘净化用喷嘴的雾化性能，提出一种气液两相旋流喷嘴，用CFX软件对该喷嘴内部流场模拟的结果表明，强烈的气旋作用使液流呈环状，使气液混合流在达到喷嘴末端时易于破碎成雾。在实验室条件下，利用Winner313型喷雾激光粒度分析仪对喷嘴进行了雾化粒度测定，分析发现雾滴中位径与气液比的关系呈幂函数衰减，这一规律将有助于在工程应用时确定喷嘴工况。     

Flow Patterns Upstream of Isokinetic Dust Sampling Probes

In isokinetic sampling from a gas stream it is usually assumed that the flow pattern upstream of the sampling probe is not affected by the presence of the probe. That some probes do seriously affect the gas streamlines is shown by velocity traverses taken with a hot wire anemometer under controlled flow conditions in a wind tunnel. The degree to v/hich the streamlines are affected depends on the wall thickness and taper of the nozzle, the stem diameter, as well as on the size and proximity of sampling accessories in the vicinity of the nozzle. For a probe to cause negligible disturbance under isokinetic conditions it should have a sharp-edged nozzle with little or no outside bevel, and the stem of the probe should be at least 11 stem diameters downstream from the nozzle inlet.     

Wind tunnel experiment of tracer gas diffusion within unstable boundary layer over coastal region

A wind tunnel experiment was carried out to simulate stack gas diffusion within an unstable atmospheric boundary layer over a coastal region. The wind tunnel floor, 4 m leeward of the entrance of the test section, was heated to 90°C over a length of 6 m in the streamwise direction, and wind tunnel experiments were performed under the flat plate condition with a prototype-to-model length scale ratio of 1200. Three similarity criteria of flow fields in the wind tunnel and in atmosphere, viz., bulk Richardson number, surface Reynolds number and the ratio of the Peclet number to the Richardson number, were considered in the wind tunnel experiment. Tracer gas was released along the coastline at a height of 10 cm, which corresponded to 120 m in height in atmosphere. The obtained wind tunnel experimental results of ground level concentration were compared with 30-min average values of the field experiments, viz., the data from the Tokai 82 field experiment. The maximum ground level concentration and its location were accurately simulated when there was close similarity between the wind tunnel and atmospheric flow conditions. The maximum concentration increased and occurred closer to the source when the level of convection was relatively stronger in atmosphere.     

Performance characteristics of PM10 samplers under calm air conditions

The size range of airborne particles that is closely related to specific deposition regions in the human respiratory tract and excess lung burden of these deposited particles is associated with disease. Size-selective sampling, therefore, needs to be performed to assess the related health risks. Performance criteria applied to these samplers must be well characterized in order to provide accurate and reliable results. The PM10 samplers that have been used in place of the total suspended particulate samplers for the collection of ambient air particles are more relevant to potential inhalation hazards. In order to be certified, a PM10 sampler must meet reliable performance specifications, primarily the aerosol penetration test with liquid and solid particles in a wind tunnel (wind speeds of 2, 8, and 24 km/hr). This testing is intended to assure reasonable accuracy in aerosol measurements. However, the sampler performance under calm air conditions has not been well studied. In the present study, the sampling heads of three devices--the Harvard impactor, the Personal Environmental Monitor (PEM), and the Sierra Andersen model 241 dichotomous sampler PM10 inlet head--were tested for aerosol separation efficiency. With the consideration of bias and imprecision of the measurements, five specimens of each type of sampler were chosen for performance testing, repeating the tests 5 times for each specimen. An ultrasonic atomizing nozzle was used to nebulize potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate and dioctyl phthalate particles as the solid and liquid challenge aerosols, respectively. The aerosol number concentrations and size distributions upstream and downstream of the samplers were measured by using an aerosizer calibrated against a settling velocity chamber. The results showed that among the samplers tested, the dichotomous sampler PM10 inlet head had the best fit to the PM10 convention, while the other two samplers not only appeared to have a steeper separation-curve slope but also had significant particle bounce when challenged with solid particles. Analysis of variance also confirmed the superiority of the dichotomous samplers. Surface-coating with oil or grease greatly reduced the problem of particle bounce.     

The effects of drop size and formulation upon the spread of pesticide droplets impacting on water‐sensitive papers

Abstract

The effects of drop size and formulation upon the spread of pesticide droplets impacting on water‐sensitive papers (WSPs) was investigated. Droplets of diameter 70–350 μm, of four permethrin formulations, were produced using a monosize droplet generator. The droplets were collected on WSPs and in Dow Corning fluid and their diameters measured using a binocular microscope. Spread factors, upon the WSPs, for each dropsize/formulation combination were then calculated. Spread factors varied with both formulation and droplet size and for droplets of 200 and 300 μm diameter spread was significantly correlated with the dynamic surface tension of the formulation. The results suggest that proper calibration of WSPs is necessary for effective droplet sizing.     

Performance Characteristics of PM10 Samplers under Calm Air Conditions

ABSTRACT

The size range of airborne particles that is closely related to specific deposition regions in the human respiratory tract and excess lung burden of these deposited particles is associated with disease. Size-selective sampling, therefore, needs to be performed to assess the related health risks. Performance criteria applied to these samplers must be well characterized in order to provide accurate and reliable results. The PM₁₀ samplers that have been used in place of the total suspended particulate samplers for the collection of ambient air particles are more relevant to potential inhalation hazards. In order to be certified, a PM₁₀ sampler must meet reliable performance specifications, primarily the aerosol penetration test with liquid and solid particles in a wind tunnel (wind speeds of 2, 8, and 24 km/hr). This testing is intended to assure reasonable accuracy in aerosol measurements. However, the sampler performance under calm air conditions has not been well studied.

In the present study, the sampling heads of three devices—the Harvard impactor, the Personal Environmental Monitor (PEM), and the Sierra Andersen model 241 dichotomous sampler PM₁₀ inlet head—were tested for aerosol separation efficiency. With the consideration of bias and imprecision of the measurements, five specimens of each type of sampler were chosen for performance testing, repeating the tests 5 times for each specimen. An ultrasonic atomizing nozzle was used to nebulize potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate and dioctyl phthalate particles as the solid and liquid challenge aerosols, respectively. The aerosol number concentrations and size distributions upstream and downstream of the samplers were measured by using an aerosizer calibrated against a settling velocity chamber. The results showed that among the samplers tested, the dichotomous sampler PM₁₀ inlet head had the best fit to the PM₁₀ convention, while the other two samplers not only appeared to have a steeper separation-curve slope but also had significant particle bounce when challenged with solid particles. Analysis of variance also confirmed the superiority of the dichotomous samplers. Surface-coating with oil or grease greatly reduced the problem of particle bounce.     

Effect of adjuvants on rainfastness and herbicidal activity of glyphosate deposits on trembling aspen foliage

Abstract

Radiolabelled end‐use mixtures of glyphosate with and without a cationic surfactant (Ethomeen® T/25) and an organosilicone surfactant (Silwet® L‐77) were applied onto trembling aspen (Populus tremuloids Michx.) leaves at the rate of 1.0 kg of AE (acid equivalent) in 35 L/ha area of foliage. A 5‐mm rainfall with an intensity of 10 mm/h was applied at intervals of 0.5, 8, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment. Glyphosate washoff was determined by liquid scintillation counting of radioactivity in the rain‐washing. At 36 h post‐treatment, both the adjuvants significantly reduced glyphosate washoff (Ethomeen by 69.6% and Silwet by 59.7%) from foliage, compared to the washoff (82.6%) when Vision alone was applied without the adjuvants. Results on the rate of plant growth indicated that with a rain‐free period of 8 h or more, the growth of most seedlings was stunted within 1 or 2 d. Percentage of foliar browning 20 d after treatment with rain‐free period of 8 to 48 h ranged from 8 to 80% for Vision alone, 75 to 100% for Vision with Ethomeen, and 85 to 100% for Vision with Silwet, respectively. Physical properties of the end‐use mixtures were measured with and without the two adjuvants to examine droplet spreading and drying rates in relation glyphosate rainfastness. The Silwet adjuvant lowered the surface tension of the end‐use mixture, but Ethomeen did not. Droplets containing Silwet were spread more than those containing Ethomeen. However, the greater area of contact caused by Silwet did not contribute to a significant increase in the translocation rate of glyphosate into untreated parts of the seedlings, and showed no relationship with rainfastness of glyphosate deposits on trembling aspen.