Environmental fate of amitrole: Influence of dissolved organic matter

A comparative study of tubular halloysite and platy kaolinite as carriers for the loading and release of the herbicide amitrole

“…Amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-trizole; AMT) is a non-selective polar herbicide with a wide spectrum of activity against annual and perennial broadleaf and grass-type weeds, acting via inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis (Oesterreich et al, 1999). It is of low toxicity to mammals.…”

“…Owing to its high efficacy in weed control, it is widely used on fallow land prior to sowing, along roadsides and railways, and on wasteland. Because of its high mobility, high water solubility (280 g/L, 25°C), and low volatility (Fontecha-Camara et al, 2008), AMT is readily dissolved in soil solution and is a potential pollution source for the ground water and surface water through leaching, and then contaminate food through plants, fruits, and water media (Oesterreich et al, 1999). The development of controlled-release formulations for highly soluble herbicides like AMT is therefore a big requirement, however, some challenges still exist, e.g., high-capacity loading of herbicides is difficult to achieve in agrochemical industry.…”

Organic Contaminants in Riverine and Groundwater Systems

“…An important aspect especially in riverine systems is the mobilisation of pollutants associated with colloids, suspended particulate matter or dissolved geopolymers and the subsequent enhanced spatial distribution (s.a. McCarthy and Zachara 1989;Johnson and Amy 1995). Modified transport processes in the presence of aquatic geopolymers are reported for pyrene and the pesticides amitrol, terbutylazine as well as pendimethaline (Huber et al 1992;Herbert et al 1993;Oesterreich et al 1999). …”

“…For bound residues not only a higher persistence but also modified degradation or transformation pathways were observed, e.g. for amitrole (Oesterreich et al 1999). Jensen-Korte et al (1987) reported an enhanced photolytic degradation of normally persistent pesticides in an aquatic environment induced by the addition of humic substances.…”

Removal of the herbicide amitrole from water by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton

“…1) is a heterocylic herbicide widely used along roadsides and railways, for weed control in ponds and in agriculture (Oesterreich et al 1999). It causes alveolar damage due to inhalation and motivates carcinogenic activity in humans (Zen et al 2000).…”