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Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation
Published on: July 4, 2014
Particle-facilitated pesticide leaching from differently structured soil monoliths
B Gjettermann1, C T Petersen, C B Koch
1University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences and Environment, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|October 31, 2009
Summary
Soil structure significantly impacts glyphosate transport. Recently plowed soils bind more glyphosate to particles, increasing its transport, unlike untilled soils where it moves more freely. This affects pesticide runoff and soil contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Agrochemistry
Background:
- Pesticide transport in soil is influenced by various factors, including soil structure and properties.
- Understanding particle-facilitated pesticide transport is crucial for assessing environmental risks.
- Glyphosate and pendimethalin are widely used herbicides with potential for off-site movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the leaching of glyphosate and pendimethalin from intact soil columns under different soil structures.
- To quantify the role of soil particles in pesticide transport.
- To determine how soil tillage affects pesticide mobility and leaching.
Main Methods:
- Intact soil columns (plowed and untilled) were subjected to simulated rainfall.
- Leachate was collected and filtered to differentiate between particle-bound and dissolved pesticides.
- 14C-labeled glyphosate and pendimethalin were used to track pesticide movement.
- Soil particle and pesticide concentrations in leachate were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Glyphosate leaching was primarily driven by preferential water flow in macropores.
- In plowed soil, 68% of leached glyphosate was particle-bound, compared to 17% in untilled soil.
- Significantly fewer soil particles leached from untilled (119-247 mg) than plowed (441-731 mg) columns.
- Particle-facilitated transport of pendimethalin could not be accurately quantified.
Conclusions:
- Soil structure critically influences glyphosate transport, with tillage increasing particle-bound glyphosate leaching.
- Glyphosate sorption is higher in recently plowed soils, affecting its mobilization and transport.
- Minimally disturbed soil surfaces reduce both particle and associated pesticide leaching.
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