The effects of temperature on decomposition and allelopathic phytotoxicity of boneseed litter

Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental process in ecosystem function, carbon and nutrient cycling and, by extension, climate change. This study aimed to investigate the role of temperature on the decomposition of water soluble phenolics(WSP), carbon and soil nutrients in conjunction with the phytotoxicity dynamics of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera(boneseed) litter. Treatments consisted of three factors including decomposition materials(litter alone, litter with soil and soil alone), decomposition periods and temperatures(5–15, 15–25and 25–35°C(night/day)). Leachates were collected on 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 th days to analyse physico-chemical parameters and phytotoxicity. Water soluble phenolics and dissolved organic carbon(DOC) increased with increasing temperature while nutrients like SO-24 and NO-13 decreased. Speed of germination, hypocotyl and radical length and weight of Lactuca sativa exposed to leachates were decreased with increasing decomposition temperature. All treatment components had significant effects on these parameters. There had a strong correlation between DOC and WSP, and WSP content of the leachates with radical length of test species. This study identified complex interactivity among temperature, WSP, DOC and soil nutrient dynamics of litter occupied soil and that these factors work together to influence phytotoxicity.     

Allelopathic effects of extracts from Solidago canadensis L.against seed germination and seedling growth of some plants

To investigate the potential role of allelopathy in plant interference and in the successful invasion of alien species Solidago canadensis, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from rhizomes, stems and leaves of S. canadensis were prepared and used as treatment solutions to assess their effects on seed germination and seedling growth in four target species, mulberry （Morus alba）; morning glory （Pharbitis nil）, wheat （Triticum aestivum） and rape （Brassiea campestris）. Reduction and/or growth in germination and growth of the target plant species in the presence of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different concentrations indicated that the responses were species-specific and concentration-dependent. Generally, ethanolic extracts （especially from leaves） imposed stronger effects on both seed germination and seedling growth. Extracts with lower concentration at 0.001 g/ml dw could stimulate the seedling growth of rape and morning glory, whereas extracts at any given concentrations have inhibitory effects on wheat and mulberry. It is suggested that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of all the three parts of S. canadensis have significant allelopathic effects. Although both inhibition and stimulation occurred in the germination and growth of the target species, extracts with higher concentrations definitely inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of all target plants. We suggest that allelopathy plays a more important role than other mechanisms do in the out-competition ofS. canadensis over other plants, and make it invasive in new habitats.     

Chemical composition and properties of ashes from combustion plants using Miscanthus as fuel

Miscanthus giganteus is one of the energy crops considered to show potential for a substantial contribution to sustainable energy production. In the literature there is little data available about the chemical composition of ashes from the combustion of Miscanthus and practically no data about their physical properties. However, for handling, treatment and utilization of the ashes this information is important. In this study ashes from two biomass combustion plants using Miscanthus as fuel were investigated. The density of the ashes was 2230 ± 35 kg/m~3, which was similar to the density of ashes from straw combustion. Also the bulk densities were close to those reported for straw ashes. The flowability of the ashes was a little worse than the flowability of ashes from wood combustion. The measured heavy metal concentrations were below the usual limits for utilization of the ashes as soil conditioner. The concentrations in the bottom ash were similar to those reported for ash from forest residue combustion plants. In comparison with cyclone fly ashes from forest residue combustion the measured heavy metal concentrations in the cyclone fly ash were considerably lower. Cl-, S and Zn were enriched in the cyclone fly ash which is also known for ashes from wood combustion. In comparison with literature data obtained from Miscanthus plant material the concentrations of K, Cl-and S were lower.This can be attributed to the fact that the finest fly ash is not collected by the cyclone de-dusting system of the Miscanthus combustion plants.     

Simultaneous determination of brominated phenols in soils

Brominated phenols （BPs）, a widely used group of emerging flame retardants, are important environmental contaminants and exhibit endocrine disrupting potential. Method for simultaneous determination of tetrabromobisphenol A （TBBPA）, tribromophenol （TBP）, dibromophenols （DBPs） and monobromophenols （MBPs） in soils using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis （GC/MS） was successfully developed. Cleanup methods for soil extracts including several solid-phase extraction cartridges and different elution solvents were compared and optimized. Florisil cartridge with dichloromethane as the elution reagent was selected for sample cleanup owing to its high and reproducible recoveries of the target analytes in soils. Derivatization conditions were tested and the optimal conditions were obtained with 20 μL silylation reagent at room temperature. The chromatographic separation was optimized with different columns and DB-XLB column was selected for its excellent separation of the analytes. The limits of detection for the target compounds were from 0.04 to 0.19 ng/g. Mean recoveries of the compounds from spiked soils exceeded 84% with a good reproducibility, excepting that the recovery of 2-bromophenol was relatively poor （lower than 55%） due to its instability. The developed method was applied to the determination of the BPs in the soils collected from e-waste sites. The contents of BPs in the soils were at ng/g levels with TBBPA and TBP the most frequently detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report for the simultaneous determination of TBBPA, TBP, DBPs and MBPs in soils.     

Selection of appropriate organic additives for enhancing Zn and Cd phytoextraction by hyperaccumulators

Chelant-enhanced phytoextraction is one of the most promising technologies to remove heavy metals from soil. The key of the technology is to choose suitable additives in combination with a suitable plant. In the present study, laboratory batch experiment of metal solubilization, cress seeds germination were undertaken to investigate the metal-mobilizing capability and the phytotoxicity of organic additives, including ethylene diamine triacetic acid （EDTA）, citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, glutamine and monosodium glutamate waste liquid （MGWL） from food industry. Experiments in pots were carried out to study the effects of the additives on Zn and Cd phytoextraction. Furthermore, a leaching experiment with lysimeter was performed to evaluate the environmental risks of additive-induced leaching to underground water. The results showed that EDTA had a strong mobilizing ability for Zn and Cd, followed by mixed reagent （MR） and MGWL. MGWL and acetic acid at 5 mmol equivalent per liter resulted in seed germination index less than 2%. Experiments in pots verified the phytotoxicity of acetic acid and MGWL. Addition of the mixed reagent at 6--10 mmol/kg significantly increased Zn phytoextraction by Thlaspi caerulescens. The same for EDTA and the mixed reagent at 10 mmol/kg by Sedum dfredii. But only mixed reagents could significantly increase Cd phytoextraction by the studied hyperaccumulators. This suggested that the strong chelant was not always the good agent to enhance phytoextraction. S. alfredii combined with 2--10 mmol/kg soil MR was preferred for phytoremediation of Cd/Zn contaminated soils in southern China, this could result in high phytoextraction of Cd/Zn and reduce the leaching risk to underground water than EDTA assisted phytoextration.     

Chemical composition and physical properties of filter fly ashes from eight grate-fired biomass combustion plants

For the handling, treatment and utilization of fly ash from biomass combustion its chemical composition and physical properties are important. In this study eight filter fly ashes from different grate-fired biomass combustion plants were investigated. In fly ash from straw combustion high concentrations of(K) were found, whereas in the fly ash from wood combustion the concentrations of Ca and Mg were higher. The average concentration of PO3-4was similar in both types of fly ashes. In all wood fly ashes some measured heavy metal concentrations were above the limits for utilization. The straw fly ashes were much less contaminated and can be utilized. For wood fly ash most parameters showed little variation, except from one fly ash where the dust pre-separator is in poor condition. The average values were: mass median diameter 4.3 ± 0.8 μm, spread of particle size distribution19 ± 11, particle density 2620 ± 80 kg/m3 and angle of repose 50°± 1°. The density of the straw fly ashes is lower(2260 ± 80 kg/m3) and the spread of the size distribution is higher(72 ± 24).For one straw combustion fly ash the values of the mass median diameter and the angle of repose were similar to the values of wood combustion fly ash, for the other straw fly ash the values differed considerably. While the particle size of this fly ash was much smaller,surprisingly the angle of repose was also lower. This can be attributed to the formation of small agglomerates in this fly ash, which were not disintegrated without a certain stress.     

Phytotoxicity assessment of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures by a soil-based seedling emergence test

Seedling emergence tests were conducted in a meadow brown soil using five plant species ( i. e., Chinese cabbage, green onion, tomato, turnip and wheat) to determine the phytotoxicity of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures. The soil was amended with up to 1000mg/kg soil of phenanthrene or 600 mg/kg soil of pyrene. Seedling emergence and root growth were measured. The results indicated that root elongation was more sensitive than seedling emergence. Root length decreased with increasing phenanthrene or pyrene concentrations(p≤0.05). Phenanthrene was more phytotoxic than pyrene. The lowest observable adverse effect concentration(LOAEC) was 10mg/kg for phenanthrene when tested with green onion, and 50mg/kg for pyrene when tested with wheat. Among the five species, wheat was found to be the most sensitive. When amended jointly at or below their respective LOAEC, phenanthrene and pyrene produced a synergistic toxic effect.     

Enhanced photodegradation of phenolic compounds by adding TiO2 to soil in a rotary reactor

Photodegradation ofpentachlorophenol （PCP） and p-nitrophenol （PNP） in soil was carried out in a designed rotary reactor, which can provide the soil particles with continually uniform irradiation, and on a series of thin soil layers. TiO2, as a kind of environmental friendly photocatalyst, was introduced to the soil to enhance the processes. Compared with that on the soil layers, photodegradation of PCP at initial concentration of 60 mg/kg was improved dramatically in the rotary reactor no matter whether TiO2 was added, with an increase of 3.0 times in the apparent first-order rate constants. The addition of 1 wt% TiO2 furthered the improvement by 1.4 times. Without addition of TiO2, PNP （initial concentration of 60 mg/kg） photodegradation rate in the rotary reactor was similar to that on the soil layers. When 1 wt% additional TiO2 was added, PNP photodegradation was enhanced obviously, and the enhancement in the rotary reactor was 2 times of that on the soil layers, which may be attributed to the higher frequency of the contact between PNP on soil particles and the photocatalyst. The effect of soil pH and initial concentrations of the target compounds on the photodegradation in the rotary reactor was investigated. The order of the degradation rate at different soil pH was relative to the aggregation of soil particles during mixing in the rotary reactor. Photodegradation of PCP and PNP at different initial concentrations showed that addition of TiO2 to enhance the photodegradation was more suitable for contaminated soil with higher concentration of PCP, while was effective for contaminated soil at each PNP concentration tested in our study.     

Chlorine removal from MSWI fly ash by thermal treatment: Effects of iron/aluminum additives

The high content of alkali chlorides in municipal solid waste incineration(MSWI) fly ash limit its resource reuse due to the potential environmental risks.In this paper, with superheated steam as the gasifying agent and inducer, chlorides in fly ash were removed by thermal treatment within a moderate temperature range.Thermal treatment experiments were performed under different conditions: temperature(500–800℃), steam addition(mass ratio of steam to fly ash = 0.25–1) and residence time(0.5–3 hr).Iron and aluminum powders were added to fly ash to improve the chlorine removal efficiency.Water-soluble chlorides included Na Cl and KCl, and insoluble chlorides mainly included Ca(OH)Cl.The heating process with the addition of water steam was more efficient than that without steam in terms of the removal performance of water-soluble chlorides.The removal efficiency of soluble chlorides reached 75.25% for a mass ratio of 1:1 after 1-hr thermal treatment at 700℃.When the residence time was increased above 1 hr, the total dechlorination efficiency was not increased dramatically.Moreover, adding iron and aluminum powder into the fly ash improved the removal of water-insoluble chlorides, and the total dechlorination efficiency was increased by 11.41%–16.64%.     

Characterization of colloidal arsenic at two abandoned gold mine sites in Nova Scotia, Canada, using asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation-inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to determine whether colloidal arsenic(As) exists in soil pore water and soil extract samples at two arsenic-contaminated abandoned gold mines(Montague and Goldenville, Nova Scotia). Colloidal arsenic was found in 12 out of the 80 collected samples(= 15%), and was primarily associated with iron(Fe) in the encountered colloids. The molar Fe/As ratios indicate that the colloids in some samples appeared to be discrete iron–arsenic minerals, whereas in other samples, they were more consistent with As-rich iron(oxy)hydroxides. Up to three discrete size fractions of colloidal As were encountered in the samples, with mean colloid diameters between 6 and 14 nm. The pore water samples only contained one size fraction of As-bearing colloids(around 6 nm diameter), while larger As-bearing colloids were only encountered in soil extracts.     

The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza on change of heavy metal speciation in rhizosphere of maize in wastewater irrigated agriculture soil

To understand the roles of mycorrhiza in metal speciation in the rhizosphere and the impact on increasing host plant tolerance against excessive heavy metals in soil, maize ( Zea mays L. ) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus ( Glomus mosseae) was cultivated in heavy metal contaminated soil. Speciations of copper, zinc and lead in the soil were analyzed with the technique of sequential extraction. The results showed that, in comparison to the bolked soil, the exchangeable copper increased from 26% to 43% in non-infected and AM-infected rhizoshpere respectively; while other speciation (organic, carbonate and Fe-Mn oxide copper) remained constant and the organic bound zinc and lead also increased but the exchangeable zinc and lead were undetectable. The organic bound copper, zinc end lead were higher by 15%, 40% and 20%, respectively, in the rhizosphere of arbuscular mycorrhiza infected maize in comparison to the non-infected maize. The results might indicate that mycorrhiza could protect its host plants from the phytotoxicity of excessive copper, zinc and lead by changing the speciation from bio-available to the non-bio-available form. The fact that copper and zinc accumulation in the roots and shoots of mycorrhia infected plants were significantly lower than those in the non-infected plants might also suggest that mycorrhiza efficiently restricted excessive copper and zinc absorptions into the host plants. Compared to the non-infected seedlings, the lead content of infected seedlings was 60% higher in shoots. This might illustrate that mycorrhiza have a different mechanism for protecting its host from excessive lead phytotoxicity by chelating lead in the shoots.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on root growth of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba saplings planted in acidified soil

Results from pot culture (with one-year old Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba) are described. It was found that the biomass production and elongation of C. lanceolata was seriously inhibited at pH 2.0 rain, but for S. superba, was not affected markedly. When pH values of experimental rain were higher than 2.0, the root growth of both species was not adversely affected. Aluminium had already accumulated to some degrees in the roots of both trees, and started to affect the root growth of C. lanceolata at pH 2.0 rain. The soil chemistry was also examined. Increased acidity of experimental rain increased the leaching of Ca and Mg. The Al/Ca mol ratio increased from 0.3 to 0.9 in top soil, and in rhizosphere to 1.5 when the pH values of simulated acid rain were 4.5 to 2.0. In this experiment, NO3- fertilization effect was discovered.     

Effects of litter removal on plant species diversity: a case study in tropical Eucalyptus forest ecosystems in South China

The removal of litterfall in the Eucalyptus plantations in South China affected the plant biodiversity in these ecosystems was found based on the field observation and lab analysis.The protection times of species diversity of three Eucalyptus communities were different (Community Ⅰ with no protection,Community Ⅱ with 7-year-protection,Community Ⅲ with 35-year-protection).The total numbers of species in these communities(from Community Ⅰ to Ⅱ to Ⅲ)are 1,6,and 17,respectively.The tesults showed that the protection of litterfall from being taken out of the ecosystem is important and can increase plant species diversity.This study ombined biomass data,the chemical and physical properties of the soil,and the diversity of microbes in the communities.It is concluded that the mechanism of the effects of litter removal on biodiversity includes three factors:removing the suitable habitat of microbe and animal,decreasing the soil mutrient, and changing the special habitat for the germination and growth of invading plants.These results should have important implications for managing these Eucalyptus forest ecosystems in South China.     

Fulvic acid removal by nanoparticle TiO2 using a submerged membrane photocatalysis reactor

The degradation of fulvic acid（FA） by nanoparticle TiO2 in a submerged membrane photocatalysis（SMPC） reactor was studied. In this reactor, photocatalytic oxidation and membrane separation co-occured. The continuous air supplier provided O2 for the photocatalytical reaction and mixed the solution through an airflow controller. The particle TiO2 could automatically settle due to gravity without particle agglomeration so it could be easily separated by microfiltration（MF） membrane. It was efficient to maintain high flux of membranes. The effects of operational parameters on the photocatalytic oxidation rate of FA were investigated. Results indicated that photocatalyst at 0.5 g/L and airflow at 0.06 m^3/h were the optimum condition for the removal of fulvic acid, the removal efficiency was higher in acid media than that in alkaline media. The effects of different filtration duration on permeate flux rate of MF with P25 powder and with nanoparticle TiO2 were compared. Experimental results indicated that the permeate flux rate of MF was improved and the membrane fouling phenomenon was reduced with the addition of nanoparticle TiO2 catalyst compared with conventional P25 powder. Therefore, this submerged membrane photocatalysis reactor can faciliate potential application of photocatalytic oxidation process in drinking water treatment.     

Influence of packing media on nitrogen removal in a subsurface infiltration system

Influence of packing media on nitrogen removal in a subsurface infiltration system was studied. System A was filled with loamy soil and system B was filled with mixed soil of 75% red clay with 25% cinder. Both systems were fed with sewage at the same hydraulic loading of 2 cm/d at continuous operation mode. The same excellent removal performances of COD and T-P could be achieved in both infiltration systems with removal rates about 85% and 98%, respectively. In system A, NH4^ -N removal rate was as high as 96.5% and T-N removal rate was relatively much lower as 55.7%. And in system B, NH4^ -N removal rate was as low as 75.4% and T-N removal rate was relatively much higher as 75.5 %. The difference was attributed to different soil oxidation-reduction condition that was greatly influenced by soil texture in subsurface infiltration system. Loamy soil led to oxidative condition that was favorable to nitrification and disadvantageous to denitrification. The results were just adverse to the system filled with clay. Intermittent operation was adopted to improve nitrogen removal in system B. NH4^ -N removal rate could be increased to about 95% and T-N removal rate could be increased to about 90% at intermittent operation mode in system B. Analysis of nitrogen removal mechanisms indicated that nitrification-denitrification was the primary nitrogen removal path in subsurface infiltration system and crop uptake was another important nitrogen removal way, It was the key to improve the total N removal performance that a suitable packing soil was available to present favorable oxidation-reduction condition for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.     

Temporal–spatial distribution and diastereoisomer pattern of hexabromocyclododecane in the vicinity of a chemical plant

Hexabromocyclododecane(HBCD) is an effective brominated flame-retardant additive, which is mainly produced in the coastal area of China. This study collected soil samples from a HBCD production plant and its surrounding area in Weifang, Shandong Province, China, and analyzed the temporal–spatial distribution of HBCD and its diastereoisomers in soil. The analysis results showed that the concentration of HBCD in soil near the plant was much higher than normal values, with an annual average concentration reaching 5405 ng/g. Soils 1,2 and 4 km away from the plant were also analyzed, showing that the concentration of HBCD in soil decreased accordingly with the distance from the pollution sources. In order to investigate the effect of the season on HBCD content, the soil samples were collected in all four seasons of the year 2017–2018. According to variations in the wind direction, the concentration of HBCD in soil was also changed. The distribution trend showed that the concentration of HBCD in soil in the downwind direction of the prevailing wind was higher than that in the upwind direction. In addition, this work analyzed the distribution of HBCD in vertical soil sections. It was found that the concentration of HBCD decreased with depth in the soil vertical profile. Finally, the various diastereoisomer patterns in the soil compartments were examined, finding that α-HBCD and γ-HBCD were the predominant diastereoisomers in the soil of the study area.     

Fractionation and solubility of cadmium in paddy soils amended with porous hydrated calcium silicate

Previous studies have shown that porous hydrated calcium silicate （PS） is very effective in decreasing cadmium （Cd） content in brown rice. However, it is unclear whether the PS influences cadmium transformation in soil. The present study examined the effect of PS on pH, cadmium transformation and cadmium solubility in Andosol and Alluvial soil, and also compared its effects with CaCO3, acidic porous hydrated calcium silicate （APS） and silica gel. Soil cadmium was operationally fractionationed into exchangeable （Exch）, bound to carbonates （Carb）, bound to iron and manganese oxides （FeMnOx）, bound to organic matters （OM） and residual （Res） fraction. Application of PS and CaCO3 at hig rates enhanced soil pH, while APS and silica gel did not obviously change soil pH. PS and CaCO3 also increased the FeMnOx-Cd in Andosol and Carb-Cd in Alluvial soil, thus reducing the Exch-Cd in the tested soils. However, PS was less effective than CaCO3 at the same application rate. Cadmium fractions in the two soils were not changed by the treatments of APS and silica gel. There were no obvious differences in the solubility of cadmium in soils treated with PS, APS, silica gel and CaCO3 except Andosol treated 2.0% CaCO3 at the same pH of soil-CaC12 suspensions. These findings suggested that the decrease of cadmium availability in soil was mainly attributed to the increase of soil pH caused by PS.     

Solubility of ion and trace metals from stabilized sewage sludge by fly ash and alkaline mine tailing

Stabilized sewage sludge （SS） by fly ash （FA） and alkaline mine tailing as artificial soil, to be applied on the ecological rehabilitation at mining junkyards, offers a potentially viable utilization of the industrial by-product, as well as solves the shortage of soil resource in the mine area. An incubation experiment with different ratios of SS and FA was conducted to evaluate the solubility of ions and trace elements from stabilized sewage sludge. Results showed that fly ash offset a decrease in pH value of sewage sludge. The pH of （C） treatment （FA：SS = 1：1） was stable and tended to neutrality. The SO4^2- and Cl^- concentrations of the solution in the mixture were significantly decreased in the stabilized sewage sludge by alkaline fly ash and mine tailing, compared to the single SS treatment. Stabilized sewage sludge by FA weakened the nitrification of total nitrogen from SS when the proportion of FA in the mixture was more than 50%. The Cr, Ni, and Cu concentrations in the solution were gradually decreased and achieved a stable level after 22 days, for all treatments over the duration of the incubation. Moreover stabilized sewage sludge by fly ash and/or mine tailing notably decreased the trace metal solubility. The final Cr, Cu, and Ni concentrations in the solution for all mixtures of treatments were lower than 2.5, 15, and 50 μg/L, respectively.     

Effect of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity of chlorotoluron to Triticum aestivum

Response of two wheat cultivars （Triticum aestivum cv. YM 158 and NM 9） to the herbicide chlorotoluron and the effect of two forms of dissolved organic matter on the chlorotoluron toxicity to the plants were characterized. Treatment with chlorotoluron at 10-50 μg/ml inhibited the seed germination and a dose-response was observed. The inhibition of seed germination was correlated to the depression of a-amylase activities. To identify whether chlorotoluron induced oxidative damage to wheat plants, the malondlaldehyde （MDA） content and electrolyte leakage were measured. Results showed that both MDA content and electrolyte leakage in the chlorotoluron-treated roots significantly increased. Activities of several key enzymes were measured that operate in citric acid cycle and carbohydrate metabolic pathway. Inhibited activities of citrate synthase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase were observed in the chlorotoluron-treated roots as compared to control plants. We also examined malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in wheat roots exposed to 30 μg/ml chlorotoluron, liowever, none of the enzymes showed significant changes in activities. Application of 160 μg/ml dissolved organic matter （DOM） extracted from non-treated sludge（NTS） and heat-expanded sludge （lIES） in the medium with 30 μg/ml chlorotoluron induced an additive inhibition of seed germination and plant growth. The inhibition of growth due to the DOM treatment was associated with the depression of activities of a-amylase, citrate synthase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase, as well as the increase in malondlaldehyde content and electrolyte leakage. These results suggested that the presence of DOM might enhance the uptake and accumulation of chlorotoluron, and thus resulted in greater toxicity in wheat plants. The two forms of DOM exhibited differences in regulation of chlorotoluron toxicity to the wheat plants. Treatments with DOM-NTS induced greater toxicity to plants as compared to those with DOM-HES. In addition to DOM affecting chlorotoluron-induced toxicity to wheat plants, the cultivars could have also contributed to differences. Generally, NM-9 showed a higher sensitivity to chlorotoluron than YM 158 either in the absence or in the presence of DOM.     

Effect of copper on the degradation of pesticides cypermethrin and cyhalothrin

The influence of coexisting copper (Cu) ion on the degradation of pesticides pyrethroid cypermethrin and cyhalothrin in soil and photodegradation in water system were studied.Serial concentrations of the pesticides with the addition of copper ion were spiked in the soil and incubated for a regular period of time,the analysis of the extracts from the soil was carried out using gas chromatography (GC).The photodegradation of pyrethroids in water system was conducted under UV irradiation.The effect of Cu~(2 ) on the pesticides degradation was measured with half life (t_(0.5)) of degradation.It was found that a negative correlation between the degradation of the pyrethroid pesticides in soil and Cu addition was observed.But Cu~(2 ) could accelerate photodegradation of the pyrethroids in water.The t_(0.5) for cyhalothrin extended from 6.7 to 6.8 d while for cypermethrin extended from 8.1 to 10.9 d with the presence of copper ion in soil.As for photodegradation,t_(0.5) for cyhalothrin reduced from 173.3 to 115.5 rain and for cypermethrin from 115.5 to 99.0 min.The results suggested that copper influenced the degradation of the pesticides in soil by affecting the activity of microorganisms.However, it had catalyst tendency for photodegradation in water system.The difference for the degradation efficiency of pyrethroid isomers in soil was also observed.Copper could obviously accelerate the degradation of some special isomers.