Photodegradation and volatility of pesticides

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Among the factors affecting the environmental fate of surface-applied pesticides several biological as well as abiotic factors, such as volatilization and photochemical transformations are of particular interest. Whereas reliable measurement methods and models for estimating direct photodegradation are already available for the compartments of water and atmosphere and individual subprocesses have already been described in detail, there is still a need for further elucidation concerning the key processes of heterogeneous photodegradation of environmental chemicals on surfaces. METHODS: In order to systematically examine the direct and indirect photodegradation of 14C-labeled pesticides on various surfaces and their volatilization behavior, a new laboratory device ('photovolatility chamber') was designed according to US EPA Guideline 161-3. Model experiments under controlled conditions were conducted investigating the impact of different surfaces, i.e. glass, soil dust and radish plants, and environmental factors, i.e. irradiation and atmospheric ozone (O3), on the photodegradation and volatilization of surface-deposited [phenyl-UL-14C]parathion-methyl (PM). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Depending on the experimental conditions, parathion-methyl was converted to paraoxon-methyl, 4-nitrophenol, unknown polar products and 14CO2. With respect to the direct photodegradation of PM (experiments without O3), the major products were polar compounds and 14CO2, due to the rapid photochemical mineralization of 4-nitrophenol to 14CO2. Paraoxon-methyl and 4-nitrophenol formation was mainly mediated by the combination of light, O3, and *OH radicals. In radish experiments PM photodegradation was presumably located in the cuticle compartment, which exhibited a sensitized photodegradation, as more unknown products were yielded compared to the glass and soil dust experiments. This could be explained by intensifying the inherent PM degradation in the dark with the same product spectrum. Due to photochemical product formation, which is an antagonistic process to the volatilization of parent compound, the volatilization of unaltered parathion-methyl from each surface generally decreased in the presence of light, particularly in combination with increasing O3 concentrations and *OH radical production rates. CONCLUSION: First results demonstrated that the photovolatility chamber provides a special tool for the systematic evaluation of (a) photodegradation of surface-located pesticide residues, i.e. measuring qualitative aspects of direct and indirect photodegradation together with relative photodegradation rates, and (b) volatilization of pesticides on surfaces by including and optionally varying relevant parameters such as light, atmospheric O3 concentration, surface temperature, air temperature, air flow rate. OUTLOOK: The experimental facility represents an important complement to lysimeter and field studies, in particular for experiments on the volatilization of pesticides using the wind tunnel system. With the photovolatility chamber special experiments on photodegradation, volatilization and plant uptake can be conducted to study key processes in more detail and this will lead to a better understanding of the effects of certain environmental processes on the fate of released agrochemicals contributing to an improved risk assessment.     

水中萘普生的紫外光降解机制及其产物毒性研究

以120 W汞灯为紫外光光源,通过活性氧物种(ROS)的淬灭实验和溶解氧(DO)浓度实验和发光菌毒性实验,对水中萘普生(NPX)的降解机制、反应动力学及其产物毒性进行了研究.结果表明,NPX的紫外光降解过程包括了直接光解和ROS参与的自敏化光解两个过程,同时.OH、1O2、O.2-的自敏化光解贡献率分别为0.1%、80.2%、35.7%;溶解氧浓度实验表明,溶解氧对萘普生的降解具有抑制作用,而且浓度越大,抑制效果越明显;发光菌毒性实验表明,萘普生光降解生成了具有较萘普生更高风险的中间产物.本研究中萘普生的所有光解实验过程均符合准一级动力学方程.     

Degradation studies of novel degradable starch-polyethylene plastics containing oxidized polyethylene and prooxidant

Linear low-density polyethylene films were prepared that contained native corn starch (7, 14, or 28%), low or high molecular weight oxidized polyethylene (15%), and a prooxidant mixture (18% POLYCLEAN II) that contains manganese and vegetable oil. For each mixture all components were first mixed at high temperatures in a twin-screw extruder and pelletized. The pellets were cast into films using a single-screw extruder. Oxidized-polyethylene addition did not impair the transparency and thickness of the films and did not reduce the percentage elongation, whereas significant reductions in film mechanical properties were observed. Thermal and photodegradation properties of each film were evaluated by 70°C forced-air oven treatment (20 days), by high-temperature, high-humidity treatment in a steam chamber (20 days), and by exposure to ultraviolet light (365 nm; 4 weeks). Changes in the mechanical properties of the films were determined by an Instron Universal Test Machine; in the carbonyl index, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and in molecular weight, by high-temperature gel-permeation chromatography (HT-GPC). The addition of oxidized polyethylene, especially high molecular weight oxidized polyethylene, and up to 14% starch to the films significantly increased the rate of thermal and photodegradation.Journal Paper No. J-15363 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames. Project No. 0178 and 2889.     

紫外光降解黑索金(RDX)的研究

本课题对模拟废水中RDX在紫外光和氧化剂等作用下的光化学降解情况进行了研究.运用正交设计法来安排实验,获得了废水的酸碱度、过氧化氢与亚铁离子的投加量、紫外光照射的时间等RDX降解的最佳条件.自行设计了光化学降解装置.在最佳条件下对RDX模拟废水进行光化学处理,并利用721分光光度计以及TOC-500测试仪对实验结果进行鉴定,取得了较为满意的结果.     

Evaluation of carrying capacity of city clusters in China with the example of the Blue Economic Zone of Shandong Peninsula

The conflict between city development and urban carrying capacity is getting ever prominent.In order to study and predict the restriction factors and prominent problems in the development of the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone as well as promote the transfer of economic development pattern in this region,this study starts from four single factor carrying capacity indicators of water,earth,transportation and environment in the city and its comprehensive carrying capacity indicator,evaluates and analyzes its carrying capacity and then papooses policy suggestions for improving its carrying capacity.     

Mercury and selenium in blue shark (Prionace glauca, L. 1758) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius, L. 1758) from two areas of the Atlantic Ocean

Muscle, liver and stomach contents of 64 blue sharks and 52 swordfishes, caught between September 2004 and February 2005 near the Azores (area A) and the Equator (area E), were analysed for mercury and selenium. Levels of mercury were relatively high (blue shark: 0.032-2.5microgg(-1); swordfish: 0.031-9.8microgg(-1)) and comparable to values reported in the literature. However, mercury and organic mercury concentrations in muscle and liver of specimens from E were significantly higher than those from A. A similar trend was registered in stomach contents, suggesting higher uptake of Hg in specimens from E. This difference was also observed in the relationship between concentration in muscle and size, indicating a higher accumulation rate in specimens from E. The accumulation of Se in the liver of both species showed a positive correlation with inorganic mercury concentrations, pointing to a detoxifying mechanism of organic mercury in these species through Se-Hg liasons.     

The future of food security in the Three Areas of Sudan

Currently, the pace of recovery in the 'Three Areas' is moving faster than the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). This gap is leading to greater imbalances in income, unsustainable urbanization, overexploitation of the environment and resource based conflict. Unless regulated, the likely result will be chronic poverty and an undermining of the success of the CPA. Agencies must be mindful of how they provide assistance so that they support the CPA. The analysis of food security should take place in the context of a larger political, social and economic analysis of the emerging situation. The least developed areas should be prioritised and interventions should provide benefits to the full range of socioeconomic groups. WFP must identify its role in the wider and integrated response. It should support the emerging peace process and the key reforms. If WFP chooses to consolidate its activities, it will require capable strategic partners. If it chooses to invest more in building the capacity of government and community structures, it must improve its skill base and field presence     

Porous FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08：Highly efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of Methylene Blue under visible-light illumination

Porous S-doped bismuth vanadate with an olive-like morphology and its supported iron oxide （y wt.% FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08, y = 0.06, 0.76, and 1.40） photocatalysts were fabricated using the dodecylamine-assisted alcohol-hydrothermal and incipient wetness impregnation methods, respectively. It is shown that the y wt.% FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08 photocatalysts contained a monoclinic scheetlite BiVO4 phase with a porous olive-like morphology, a surface area of 8.8-9.2 m^2/g, and a bandgap energy of 2.38-2.42 eV. There was co-presence of surface Bi^5＋, Bi^3＋, V^5＋, V^3＋, Fe^3＋, and Fe^2＋ species in y wt.% FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08. The 1.40 wt.% FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08 sample performed the best for Methylene Blue degradation under visible-light illumination. The photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed. We believe that the sulfur and FeOx co-doping, higher oxygen adspecies concentration, and lower baudgap energy were responsible for the excellent visible-light-driven catalytic activity of 1.40 wt.% FeOx/BiVO4-δS0.08.     

城市河流中WWMPs的迁移转化试验

为研究城市河流中WWMPs（污水印记药物）的迁移转化行为,以13种典型WWMPs[AZM（阿奇霉素）、CLM（克拉霉素）、STZ（磺胺噻唑）、TMP（甲氧苄啶）、ATL（阿替洛尔）、PNL（普萘洛尔）、DCF（双氯芬酸）、CLF（氯贝酸）、IBU（布洛芬）、CBM（卡马西平）、CAF（咖啡因）、PRC（扑热息痛）和TCS（三氯生）]为目标物,通过生物降解试验、吸附试验及光降解试验分析目标物主要的迁移转化机理.结果表明,AZM、CLM、PRC的降解主要是生物作用,不灭菌且有氧条件下的降解率分别可达90%、95%、100%.沉积物对CBM的吸附作用明显,但其难以被水解和生物降解,而且其吸附和解吸是一个相对平衡的过程,导致CBM能够稳定存在.ATL、STZ、PRC和TMP这4种亲水性化合物不易被沉积物吸附,其余9种属疏水性化合物的吸附能力取决于其K_OW（辛醇-水分配系数）.此外,光降解试验表明,在实际环境中,很多目标物受颗粒物和光敏剂的影响,不易发生直接光降解,TMP、DCF、PNL、CAF和TCS容易发生光降解作用,其在光照和避光的条件下降解率分别为20%和10%、58%和25%、22%和5%、20%和2%、30%和5%.研究显示,城市河流中的WWMPs在生物降解、吸附和光降解共同作用下有明显的降解效果.      

Photostability study of cis-configuration neonicotinoid insecticide cycloxaprid in water

Cycloxaprid (CYC) is a new cis-configuration neonicotinoid insecticide, which is currently under development in China for agricultural pest control. Considering the photodegradation of CYC is important for the application of CYC in the future, the photochemical behavior of CYC in aqueous solution was herein investigated in a “merry-go-round” reactor under a 300 W high-pressure mercury lamp. Twenty-five photodegradation products were identified via UPLC-TOF-ESI-MS/MS. The results suggested that NTN32692, the precursor of CYC was the predominant photodegradation product. CYC photodegrades via a more complex mechanism than imidacloprid and four potential photodegradation pathways were proposed.