Dissipation of Cotton Pesticides from Runoff Water in Glasshouse Columns

Abstract

The use of vegetated wetlands for accelerating pesticide removal from agricultural runoff is gaining acceptance as a best management practice. In this study, the dissipation of five cotton pesticidesendosulfan, chlorpyrifos, aldicarb, prometryn and diuron -was quantified in cotton field runoff water contained in glasshouse columns, under light or dark conditions. Two water samples sourced from large, non-vegetated storage dams were compared with two other water samples obtained from vegetated wetlands receiving runoff from cotton fields. All pesticides studied except chlorpyrifos dissipated significantly faster from the storage dam samples than the vegetated wetland samples. Suggested reasons include a greater number of pesticide-degrading microorganisms in the storage dam waters and/or the presence of more organic matter in the wetland samples, limiting contaminant volatilisation and hydrolysis. Exposure to light significantly reduced the rate of endosulfan removal, whereas light increased the rate of chlorpyrifos removal. Half-lives are presented for each pesticide where appropriate.

Bioremediation of Single and Mixture of Pesticide-Contaminated Soils by Mixed Pesticide-Enriched Cultures

“…Fenlon et al [14] reported the development of catabolism in indigenous soil microflora from four organically and one conventionally managed soils which were exposed to cypermethrin and diazinon pesticides. Rose et al [15] investigated the dissipation of five cotton pesticides-endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, aldicarb, prometryn, and diuron-in cotton field runoff water contained in glasshouse columns under light or dark conditions. Different types of pesticides are normally used to control specific pests of various crops.…”

Atrazine selects for ichthyotoxic Prymnesium parvum, a possible explanation for golden algae blooms in lakes of Texas, USA

“…Although further investigation is needed to determine the benefits of herbicide reduction on P. parvum blooms, the notion that an herbicide can select for P. parvum is a significant advancement in our understanding of the causes behind the proliferation of this harmful alga. From: Giddings et al (2005), Rose et al (2007), USNLM ( ), and USEPA (1986 made possible by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates program at West Texas A&M University, grant #0648989.…”

Pesticides in Greenhouse Runoff, Soil and Plants: A Screening

“…Up to 2 % of the applied endosulfan could be lost through run-off from cotton productions, subsequently found in concentrations from 2 μg/l to 45 μg/l [8]. Experiments with spiked water showed that >90 % of applied endosulfan were removed in wetland systems [9], and to a lesser degree during soil biodegradation [10], although open dams are found to be more efficient the wetlands in removing cotton pesticides [11].…”