Effects of humic substances on photodegradation of bensulfuron-methyl on dry soil surfaces

The photodegradation of the herbicide bensulfuron-methyl on dry soil surfaces in the presence and absence of humic substances was investigated under Xe lamp irradiation. A rapid rate of disappearance occurs in the humus-removed soil. The presence of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) reduces degradation rates and has a quenching effect on the photodecomposition of bensulfuron-methyl. The quenching effect increases with increasing HA and FA concentration in soil. HA has a slightly greater ability to quenching the photolysis compared to FA. In addition, co-effects of HA and FA on quenching the photolysis are stronger than single effects of HA or FA.