Simulation of branched serial first-order decay of atrazine and metabolites in adapted and nonadapted soils

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
By: , and 

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Abstract

In the present study a branched serial first‐order decay (BSFOD) model is presented and used to derive transformation rates describing the decay of a common herbicide, atrazine, and its metabolites observed in unsaturated soils adapted to previous atrazine applications and in soils with no history of atrazine applications. Calibration of BSFOD models for soils throughout the country can reduce the uncertainty, relative to that of traditional models, in predicting the fate and transport of pesticides and their metabolites and thus support improved agricultural management schemes for reducing threats to the environment. Results from application of the BSFOD model to better understand the degradation of atrazine supports two previously reported conclusions: atrazine (6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N′‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine) and its primary metabolites are less persistent in adapted soils than in nonadapted soils; and hydroxyatrazine was the dominant primary metabolite in most of the soils tested. In addition, a method to simulate BSFOD in a one‐dimensional solute‐transport unsaturated zone model is also presented. 

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Simulation of branched serial first-order decay of atrazine and metabolites in adapted and nonadapted soils
Series title Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
DOI 10.1002/etc.597
Volume 30
Issue 9
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) National Water Quality Laboratory
Description 9 p.
First page 1973
Last page 1981
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