Significance of the long-chain organic cation structure in the sorption of the penconazole and metalaxyl fungicides by organo clays

Adsorption-desorption of dimethenamid and fenarimol onto three agricultural soils as affected by treated wastewater and fresh sewage sludge-derived dissolved organic carbon

The use of treated wastewaters (TWW) in agriculture is widening in areas suffering drought, such as southern Europe, to preserve freshwater supply for human consumption. The composition of TWW, especially concerning their organic carbon (OC) content, has been demonstrated to influence the processes governing the behavior of non-ionic pesticides in soils. Three OC-poor agricultural soils (SV, RM1 and RM3) from the province of Granada (Spain) were chosen for the assessment of the adsorption and desorption of the herbicide dimethenamid (DIM) and the fungicide fenarimol (FEN). TWW and sewage sludge extracts at different dissolved OC (DOC) concentrations (30, 90 and 300 mg L^-1) were considered to evaluate their effect on pesticide adsorption-desorption. As expected by their properties, DIM and FEN were weakly and moderately adsorbed to the soils, respectively. Soil OC seemed to be the major factor controlling FEN adsorption, whereas the mineral fraction played a key role in DIM adsorption, especially in RM1 with high clay:OC ratio. Although TWW did not significantly modify the adsorption of pesticides, it enhanced DIM desorption from the three soils. Adsorption of FEN to SV and RM3 was directly related to the concentration of DOC, possibly due to co-sorption phenomena. Hysteretic desorption was found in all cases, indicating partially reversible adsorption. While FEN desorption was not altered by the solutions, the use of sludge extracts at the highest DOC concentration (300 mg L^-1) enhanced DIM desorption as occurred with TWW. Interactions with DOC in solution seemed to predominate for this less hydrophobic compound, thus increasing the risk of natural waters contamination if TWW will be used.

Adsorption-desorption and hysteresis phenomenon of tebuconazole in Colombian agricultural soils: Experimental assays and mathematical approaches

The adsorption-desorption, hysteresis phenomenon, and leachability of tebuconazole were studied for Inceptisol and Histosol soils at the surface (0-10 cm) and in the subsurface (40-50 cm) of an agricultural region from Colombia by the batch-equilibrium method and mathematical approaches. The experimental K_fa and K_d (L kg^-1) values (7.9-289.2) decreased with depth for the two Inceptisols and increased with depth for the Histosol due to the organic carbon content, aryl and carbonyl carbon types. Single-point and desorption isotherms depended on adsorption reversibility and suggested that tebuconazole showed hysteresis; which can be adequately evaluated with the single-point desorption isotherm and the linear model using the hysteresis index HI. The most suitable mathematical approach to estimate the adsorption isotherms of tebuconazole at the surface and in the subsurface was that considering the combination of the n-octanol-water partition coefficient, pesticide solubility, and the mass-balance concept. Tebuconazole had similar moderate mobility potential as compared with the values of other studies conducted in temperate amended and unamended soils, but the risk of the fungicide to pollute groundwater sources increased when the pesticide reached subsurface soil layers, particularly in the Inceptisols.

Immobilization of phenanthrene onto gemini surfactant modified sepiolite at solid/aqueous interface: Equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies

The immobilization of phenanthrene from aqueous phase onto natural and gemini surfactant modified sepiolite was investigated with respect to contact time, pH, ionic strength and temperature. The surface modification was examined through FT-IR characterization, SEM technique, and the thermogravimetric analysis. The maximum sorption capacity of phenanthrene on modified sepiolite was 95.15μgg^-1 with initial PHE concentration 1.0mgL^-1, temperature 293K, pH7, and ionic strength 1M. The corresponding PHE removal efficiency was higher than 95%. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were applied to describe the phenanthrene sorption behavior and the Freundlich equation agreed well with the experimental data. The evaluation of the thermodynamic parameters indicated that the immobilization of phenanthrene onto gemini surfactant modified sepiolite was a spontaneous and exothermic process from 283 to 313K. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to evaluate the kinetic data. According to the calculated kinetic parameters, the immobilization process of phenanthrene followed the Elovich kinetic model with the highest correlation coefficients. The obtained results show that gemini surfactant modified sepiolite could be effectively utilized as one type of low-cost clay material to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water effluents.

Characterization of sorption processes for the development of low-cost pesticide decontamination techniques

The adsorption/desorption behavior of four pesticides (atrazine, alachlor, endosulfan sulfate and trifluralin) in aqueous solutions onto four adsorbents (sunflower seed shells, rice husk, composted sewage sludge and soil) was investigated. Pesticide determination was carried out using stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. Maximum removal efficiency (73.9%) was reached using 1 g of rice husk and 50 mL of pesticide solution (200 μg L(-1)). The pseudo adsorption equilibrium was reached with 0.6 g organic residue, which was used in subsequent experiments. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order kinetics and the intra-particle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data and rate constants were evaluated. The first model was more suitable for the sorption of atrazine and alachlor while the pseudo-second-order best described endosulfan sulfate and trifluralin adsorption, which showed the fastest sorption rates. 4h was considered as the equilibrium time for determining adsorption isotherms. Experimental data were modeled by Langmuir and Freundlich models. In most of the studied cases both models can describe the adsorption process, although the Freundlich model was applicable in all cases. The sorption capacity increased with the hydrophobic character of the pesticides and decreased with their water solubility. Rice husk was revealed as the best adsorbent for three of the four studied pesticides (atrazine, alachlor and endosulfan sulfate), while better results were obtained with composted sewage sludge and sunflower seed shell for the removal of trifluralin. Although desorption percentages were not high (with the exception of alachlor, which reached a desorption rate of 57%), the Kfd values were lower than the Kf values for adsorption and all H values were below 100, indicating that the adsorption was weak.

Removal of mixed pesticides from aqueous solutions using organoclays: evaluation of equilibrium and kinetic model

Removal of mixed pesticides, namely alachlor, metolachlor, chlorpyriphos, fipronil, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, p,p'-DDT and two metabolites p,p'-DDE and endosulfan sulphate from aqueous solution by batch adsorption onto three commercial organo-modified montmorillonite clays [modified with octadecylamine (ODA-M), modified with dimethyl- dialkylamine (DMDA-M) and modified with octadecylamine and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (ODAAPS-M)] were investigated. Effect of process variables, mainly contact time and initial concentration of mixed pesticides, on adsorption phenomenon were evaluated. To understand the adsorption kinetic pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were tested. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for explaining adsorption kinetics, on the basis of high correlation coefficient (r) and normalized percent deviation values. The adsorption equilibrium was explained by the Freundlich isotherm (r = 0.951-0.992). High values (0.17-0.52 mg g⁻¹) of Freundlich constant (K(f)) indicated higher affinity of pesticides towards all three organoclays, as a result of hydrophobic interaction between the adsorbent/adsorbate systems. Pesticides with high octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) and low water solubility showed faster adsorption with higher K(f) values as compared to the pesticides with low K(ow) and high water solubility. The order of organoclays for removal efficiency of mixed pesticide was ODAAPS-M > DMDA-M > ODA-M. These findings may find application to decontaminate or treat mixed pesticide contaminated industrial/agricultural waste waters.

The influence of copper on tebuconazole sorption onto soils, humic substances, and ferrihydrite

The aim of this study is to investigate how the presence of Cu influences tebuconazole (Teb) sorption onto contrasting soil types and two important constituents of the soil sorption complex: hydrated Fe oxide and humic substances. Tebuconazole was used in commercial form and as an analytical-grade chemical at different Teb/Cu molar ratios (1:4, 1:1, 4:1, and Teb alone). Increased Cu concentrations had a positive effect on tebuconazole sorption onto most soils and humic substances, probably as a result of Cu-Teb tertiary complexes on the soil surfaces. Tebuconazole sorption increased in the following order of different Teb/Cu ratios 1:4>1:1>4:1>without Cu addition, with the only exception for the Leptosol and ferrihydrite. The highest K f value was observed for humic substances followed by ferrihydrite, the Cambisol, the Arenosol, and the Leptosol. The sorption of analytical-grade tebuconazole onto all matrices was lower, but the addition of Cu supported again tebuconazole sorption. The Teb/Cu ratio with the highest Cu addition (1:4) exhibited the highest K f values in all matrices with the exception of ferrihydrite. The differences in tebuconazole sorption can be attributed to the additives present in the commercial product. This work proved the importance of soil characteristics and composition of the commercially available pesticides together with the presence of Cu on the behavior of tebuconazole in soils.

Pesticides water decontamination in oxygen-limited conditions

This study was undertaken to develop a laboratory bioreactor, with a functioning principle similar with that of biobed systems but working in oxygen-limited conditions, suitable for decontaminating wastewater mixtures with pesticides. The system is composed by two cylindrical plastic containers. The first one, where the pesticides solution is collected, is open, whereas the second one, where the biomass is disposed, is closed. The pesticides solution was pumped at the biomass surface and subsequently recollected and disposed in the first container. Four pesticides with different physical-chemical characteristics were tested. The results obtained showed a relatively good capacity of the developed prototype to decontaminate waste water containing the mixture of pesticides. The time of the experiment, the number of cycles that the solution made in the system and the environmental temperature have a significantly influence for the decontamination of acetochlor and chlorpyrifos whereas for the decontamination of terbuthylazine and metalaxyl no significant influence was observed. Even if the present prototype could represent a valid solution to manage the water pesticides residues in a farm and to increase the confidence of bystanders and residents, the practical difficulties when replacing the biomass could represent a limit of the system.

Pesticide removal from waste spray-tank water by organoclay adsorption after field application: an approach for a formulation of cyprodinil containing antifoaming/defoaming agents

PURPOSE

Many reports on purification of water containing pesticides are based on studies using unformulated active ingredients. However, most commercial formulations contain additives/adjuvants or are manufactured using microencapsulation which may influence the purification process. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to develop and test a pilot scheme for decontaminating water containing pesticides formulated with antifoaming/defoaming agents.

METHODS

The Freundlich adsorption coefficients of formulation of cyprodinil, a new-generation fungicide, onto the organoclay Cloisite 20A have been determined in the laboratory in order to predict the efficiency of this organoclay in removing the fungicide from waste spray-tank water. Subsequently, the adsorption tests were repeated in the pilot system in order to test the practical operation of the purification scheme.

RESULTS

The laboratory adsorption tests successfully predicted the efficiency of the pilot purification system, which removed more than 96% cyprodinil over a few hours. The passing of the organoclay-cyprodinil suspension through a layer of biomass gave 100% recovery of the organoclay at the surface of the biomass after 1 week. The organoclay was composted after the treatment to try to break down the fungicide so as to allow safe disposal of the waste, but cyprodinil was not significantly dissipated after 90 days.

CONCLUSION

The purification scheme proved to be efficient for decontaminating water containing cyprodinil formulated with antifoaming/defoaming agents, but additional treatments for the adsorbed residues still appear to be necessary even for a moderately persistent pesticide such as cyprodinil. Furthermore, a significant conclusion of this study concerns the high influence of pesticide formulations on the process of purification of water containing these compounds, which should be taken into account when developing innovative decontamination schemes, especially for practical applications.

Assessment of spent mushroom substrate as sorbent of fungicides: influence of sorbent and sorbate properties

The capacity of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a sorbent of fungicides was evaluated for its possible use in regulating pesticide mobility in the environment. The sorption studies involved four different SMS types in terms of nature and treatment and eight fungicides selected as representative compounds from different chemical groups. Nonlinear sorption isotherms were observed for all SMS-fungicide combinations. The highest sorption was obtained by composted SMS from Agaricus bisporus cultivation. A significant negative and positive correlation was obtained between the K(OC) sorption constants and the polarity index values of sorbents and the K(OW) of fungicides, respectively. The statistic revealed that more than 77% of the variability in the K(OW) could be explained considering these properties jointly. The other properties of both the sorbent (total carbon, dissolved organic carbon, or pH) and the sorbate (water solubility) were nonsignificant. The hysteresis values for cyprodinil (log K(OW)= 4) were for all the sorbents much higher (>3) than for other fungicides. This was consistent with the remaining sorption after desorption considered as an indicator of the sorption efficiency of SMS for fungicides. Changes in the absorption bands of fungicides sorbed by SMS observed by FTIR permitted establishing the interaction mechanism of fungicides with SMS. The findings of this work provide evidence for the potential capacity of SMS as a sorbent of fungicides and the low desorption observed especially for some fungicides, although they suggest that more stabilized or humified organic substrates should be produced to enhance their efficiency in environmental applications.

Sorption of tebuconazole onto selected soil minerals and humic acids

The aim of the present study was to investigate tebuconazole sorption on common soil minerals (birnessite, ferrihydrite, goethite, calcite and illite) and humic acids (representing soil organic matter). Tebuconazole was used (i) in the commercial form Horizon 250 EW and (ii) as an analytical grade pure chemical. In the experiment with the commercially available tebuconazole, a significant pH-dependent sorption onto the oxides was observed (decreasing sorption with increasing pH). The highest sorption was found for ferrihydrite due to its high specific surface area, followed by humic acids, birnessite, goethite and illite. No detectable sorption was found for calcite. The sorption of analytical grade tebuconazole on all selected minerals was significantly lower compared to the commercial product. The sorption was the highest for humic acids, followed by ferrihydrite and illite and almost negligible for goethite and birnessite without any pH dependence. Again, no sorption was observed for calcite. The differences in sorption of the commercially available and analytical grade tebuconazole can be attributed to the additives (e.g., solvents) present in the commercial product. This work proved the importance of soil mineralogy and composition of the commercially available pesticides on the behavior of tebuconazole in soils.

Adsorption of mixed cationic-nonionic surfactant and its effect on bentonite structure

The adsorption of cationic-nonionic mixed surfactant onto bentonite and its effect on bentonite structure were investigated. The objective was to improve the understanding of surfactant behavior on clay mineral for its possible use in remediation technologies of soil and groundwater contaminated by toxic organic compounds. The cationic surfactant used was hexadecylpyridinium bromide (HDPB), and the nonionic surfactant was Triton X-100 (TX100). Adsorption of TX100 was enhanced significantly by the addition of HDPB, but this enhancement decreased with an increase in the fraction of the cationic surfactant. Part of HDPB was replaced by TX100 which decreased the adsorption of HDPB. However, the total adsorbed amount of the mixed surfactant was still increased substantially, indicating the synergistic effect between the cationic and nonionic surfactants. The surfactant-modified bentonite was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric-derivative thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyses. Surfactant intercalation was found to decrease the bentonite specific surface area, pore volume, and surface roughness and irregularities, as calculated by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The co-adsorption of the cationic and nonionic surfactants increased the ordering conformation of the adsorbed surfactants on bentonite, but decreased the thermal stability of the organobentonite system.

Pesticide removal from waste spray-tank water by organoclay adsorption after field application to vineyards

PURPOSE

The main objective of this work was to develop and test a pilot scheme for decontaminating pesticide-containing water derived from pesticide mixtures used to protect vineyards, in which the scheme comprises adsorption by an organoclay and includes a system where an enhanced or rapid microbial degradation of the adsorbed residues can occur.

METHODS

In laboratory experiments, the Freundlich adsorption coefficients of formulations of two fungicides, penconazole and cyazofamid, onto the organoclay Cloisite 20 A were measured in order to predict the efficiency of this organoclay in removing these fungicides from the waste spray-tank water. Subsequently, the adsorption tests were repeated in the pilot system in order to test the practical operation of the depuration scheme.

RESULTS

The adsorption tests with the pilot system show 96% removal of both fungicides over a few hours, similar to the efficiency of removal predicted from the laboratory adsorption tests. The formulation type may influence the efficiency of clay recovered after adsorption. Regarding the waste disposal, for instance, the organoclay composted after the treatment, cyazofamid showed significant dissipation after 90 days, whereas the dissipation of penconazole was negligible.

CONCLUSION

The depuration scheme developed showed to be efficient for decontaminating pesticide-containing water derived from vineyards, but additional treatments for the adsorbed residues still appear to be necessary for persistent pesticides. However, future decontamination research should be attempted for water contaminated with pesticides containing antifoaming agents in their formulations, in which case the present pilot system could not be applied.

Adsorption and desorption behavior of metalaxyl in intensively cultivated acid soils

Metalaxyl adsorption and desorption behavior in acid soils were evaluated via batch and stirred-flow chamber experiments. On the basis of batch experiments (adsorption curves of the Giles C-type), metalaxyl has a low affinity for acid soils. Also, as derived from batch and stirred-flow chamber tests, its adsorption in acid soils is dictated mainly by their organic matter and clay contents. The high correlation between these two variables makes it rather complicated to resolve their effects. Metalaxyl adsorption occurs largely (80-99%) via fast adsorption reactions. On the other hand, the pesticide is desorbed in variable proportions (30-100%). The desorption parameters obtained by fitting the results to a pseudo-first-order reaction were correlated with no edaphic variable; however, the q(0)/q(max) ratio, which is a measure of reversibility in the adsorption-desorption process, exhibited significant negative correlation with the organic matter and clay contents.

Sorption of penconazole applied as a commercial water-oil emulsion in soils devoted to vineyards

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of surfactants and oils of a commercial formulation on the potential mobility of penconazole in agricultural soils that have been subjected to a high rate of application of agricultural chemicals. Soil-water partition tests on a commercial water-oil emulsion formulation of penconazole (WOEP) in 0.01 M CaCl(2) containing 35 mg L(-1) penconazole, incubated for 24 h, showed a maximum retention of approximately 250-300 mg penconazole kg(-1) soil. Approximately 70% of the total penconazole retained by the solid phase was sorbed on the soil (175-200 mg kg(-1)). The other 30% was retained by the adjuvants present in the commercial formulation. The formulation also influenced the water-soil partition, increasing the sorption in tests on batch studies using technical-grade penconazole (TGP). Soils with high total copper and organic matter had the greatest affinity for penconazole when added as WOEP. Additionally, adsorption of penconazole followed an S-type isotherm, whose behavior was consistent with the ability of the technical-grade penconazole to form aggregates. In the case of the WOEP, the S-type behavior could be attributed to the surfactant present in the formulation, which could be adsorbed onto soil as hemimicelles, which in turn may facilitate adsorption of penconazole.