Atmospheric Methyl Bromide (CH
            <sub>3</sub>
            Br) from Agricultural Soil Fumigations

Yagi, Kazuyuki; Williams, J.; Wang, N. Y.; Cicerone, R. J.

doi:10.1126/science.267.5206.1979

Cited by 133 publications

(119 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The toxicity of fumigants is related to (i) their interference with respiratory enzymes, including pyruvate dehydrogenase, (ii) their ability to chelate metal cations such as Cu, (iii) the inhibition by the unchelated ion, and (iv) toxic degradation products such as methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) (Corbett et al, 1984;Staub et al, 1995). MeBr can be degraded in soils by the following three pathways (Shorter et al, 1995;Yagi et al, 1995;Ou et al, 1997): a) chemical hydrolysis to form methanol and bromide, b) methylation to soil organic matter and release of bromide ion, and c) microbial oxidation to form formaldehyde and bromide ion. Biological hydrolysis and other microbial processes involving enzymatic processes are also likely to contribute to the degradation of MeBr in soil (Ou, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Klose

Ajwa

2004

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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Pre-plant fumigation of agricultural soils with a combination of methyl bromide (MeBr) and chloropicrin (CP) to control nematodes, soil-borne pathogens and weeds has been a common practice in strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duchesne) production since the 1960s. MeBr will be phased out by 2005, but little is known about the impacts of alternative fumigants on soil microbial processes. We investigated the response of microbial biomass and enzyme activities in soils fumigated over two years with MeBr + CP and the alternatives propargyl bromide (PrBr), InLine, Midas and CP. Results were compared to control soils, which were not fumigated for the last 4 to 5 years for Watsonville and Oxnard, respectively, but had a 10 year history of MeBr + CP fumigation (history soils). Soil samples (0-15cm) were taken from two sites in the coastal areas of California, USA, in Watsonville and Oxnard, at peak strawberry production after two years of repeated application. In addition to the soil enzymes, the activities of purified reference enzymes of β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase were assayed before and after fumigation with MeBr + CP and alternative biocides. At the Oxnard site, microbial respiration significantly decreased in soils fumigated with MeBr + CP (P = 0.036), while microbial biomass C and N showed no response to fumigation at both sites. These results may indicate that fumigation promotes the growth of resistant species or that soil microorganisms had recovered at the time of sampling. Repeated soil fumigation with MeBr + CP significantly decreased the activities of β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase at the Watsonville site, and dehydrogenase activity at the Oxnard site. Although, enzyme activities in soils fumigated with PrBr, InLine, Midas and CP were lower compared to the control soil, effects were, in general, not significant. Fumigation with MeBr + CP and alternatives reduced the activities of purified reference enzymes by 13, 76 and 28% for acid 2 phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase, respectively. Mean enzyme protein concentrations in fumigated agricultural soils were 2.93, 0.105, and 2.95 mg protein kg -1 soil for acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase, respectively, all lower than in control soils. Organic matter turnover and nutrient cycling, and thus, the long-term productivity of agricultural soils seem unaffected in soils repeatedly fumigated with PrBr, InLine, Midas and CP.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Klose

Ajwa

2004

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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“…Such films typically remain intact in the field for 1-2 weeks, after which the film is removed for planting or punctured for placement of seedlings. Polyethylene (PE) films are most commonly used in soil fumigation, but these films are reportedly permeable by MeBr [7][8][9][10][11][12] and other soil fumigants. 12,13) To reduce emissions and to develop fumigation management practices that protect the environment while providing adequate pest control, they must also maintain their impermeability to fumigant vapors under field conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experiments to assess the volatilization of soil fumigants from a soil surface covered with plastic film have been conducted in the laboratory for MeBr, MeI, 12) 1,3-D, and CP. 13) Field trials have also been conducted to measure the volatilization of MeBr, [10][11][12]14,15) MeI, 12) and 1,3-D 16) from the soil surface when covered with different plastic films.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of permeation rates of soil fumigants through plastic films by the cup method

et al. 2012

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This article presents a new approach for estimating the mass transfer coefficient (h, a measure of permeability) of fumigant compounds across several agricultural films. The assembled equipment provides a sealed permeability cell, where a film sample is set at the top of a static reservoir cell. Fumigant liquid is put into the cell and the gravimetric change of the cell is monitored sequentially over time using an analytical balance. The h of the fumigants across various plastic films were determined. Results show that the method is a sensitive and reproducible measure of film permeability, and suggest that film-fumigant combination and temperature had the largest impact on the h of fumigant compounds across films. Furthermore, the relative magnitude of the h on the fumigant and film material was predictable from the combination of their solubility parameters.

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“…Since an excessive intake of Br is harmful for human health, the maximum permissible limit of Br in food originating from agricultural chemicals has been established in many countries (Yuita 1994). Soil fumigation with methyl bromide is known to be a significant source of Br in the atmosphere which is involved in stratospheric ozone loss (Yagi et al 1995), and is regulated internationally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of total contents of bromine, iodine and several trace elements in soil by polarizing energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Takeda¹,

Yamasaki²,

Tsukada³

et al. 2011

Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

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A non-destructive analysis method for total bromine (Br) and iodine (I) contents in soil was established using polarizing energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. The matrix-corrected intensity of Br and I K X-rays from pressed pellets of soil powder samples was calibrated with their contents measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry after pyrohydrolysis preparation. The calibration curves for Br and I were successfully obtained in the concentration ranges 3.8-223 mg kg À1 and 0.91-54 mg kg À1 respectively. Repeated analyses of the same sample with polarizing EDXRF spectrometry within one day and after approximately 1.5 years showed good reproducibility of the measurement results. The lower limits of detection for Br and I were 0.14 mg kg À1 and 0.34 mg kg À1 respectively. The established analytical method for total Br and I contents in soil is non-destructive, simple and rapid, and is suitable for routine analysis. Trace elements such as rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), caesium (Cs), barium (Ba), light rare earth elements and lead (Pb) were also measurable simultaneously under the identical operational conditions as those for Br and I measurements.

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Atmospheric Methyl Bromide (CH ₃ Br) from Agricultural Soil Fumigations

Cited by 133 publications

References 11 publications

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Evaluation of permeation rates of soil fumigants through plastic films by the cup method

Determination of total contents of bromine, iodine and several trace elements in soil by polarizing energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

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Atmospheric Methyl Bromide (CH 3 Br) from Agricultural Soil Fumigations

Cited by 133 publications

References 11 publications

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Evaluation of permeation rates of soil fumigants through plastic films by the cup method

Determination of total contents of bromine, iodine and several trace elements in soil by polarizing energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

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Atmospheric Methyl Bromide (CH ₃ Br) from Agricultural Soil Fumigations