Stability of chlorpyrifos for termiticidal control in six Australian soils

Chlorpyrifos [O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate] is the most widely used soil-applied termiticide in Australia. It is relatively stable, has low water solubility, is absorbed by organic matter, and has a high affinity for soil with low partitioning potential from soil matter to soil water. The purpose of this degradation study is to determine the effect of soil alkalinity on the longevity of termite protection when chlorpyrifos is applied as a termiticide in a range of Australian soils, particularly high-pH substrates. The study also examines the effects of initial soil concentration on the degradation of chlorpyrifos in the range of soils. At an initial soil concentration of 1000 mg kg(-)(1) for termite control, the degradation rate of chlorpyrifos is very strongly retarded in soils tested when compared with lower soil concentrations of 100 and 10 mg kg(-)(1) in the same soils. The degradation data correlated with a logarithmic model of decay, and it was thus possible to produce half-lives and predict likely periods of termite control. Average half-lives for all soils for the three concentrations were 385, 155, and 41 days, respectively. Soil pH had no effect on the rate of degradation at all concentrations tested.