Sorption and desorption of endosulfan sulfate and diuron to composted cotton gin trash

This paper investigates the potential use of composted cotton gin trash (CCGT) as a pesticide sorption medium in remediation of contaminated tailwater. CCGT was found to contain a large organic matter fraction (25.22%). Sorption of endosulfan sulfate and diuron, using the batch equilibrium method, was rapid but not limited for the range of applied concentrations, with diuron failing to reach equilibrium after two days. The partition K d and organic carbon partition K(OC) coefficients determined diuron ( Kd = 78; K(OC) = 526) and endosulfan sulfate ( Kd = 1500; K(OC) = 10,111) to reside in the solid phase. Limited desorption of diuron and higher range concentrations of endosulfan sulfate (50-100 microg L(-1)) were quantified. Sorption and desorption resulted from hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions with the humic components of the compost. CCGT was concluded to have a superior sorption capacity to other sorbents reported in the literature, an assessment that requires field substantiation.