Spatial Distribution of Pesticide Residues in a Former Apple Orchard

Abstract

During the period 1900–1950, considerable amounts of Pb arsenate pesticides were used in apple orchards. Many of these orchards are not in fruit production any longer and are used for home gardening, pasture, or forage and vegetable cropping. This paper examines the spatial distribution of inorganic pesticide residues in an abandoned orchard in central Massachusetts.Maximum Pb and As concentration in surface soils sampled in a grid‐like pattern, were 870 µg g−1 and 120 µg g−1, respectively. Areas high in contaminants were either former tree sites or low spots where spray residues collected. A transect through the approximate location of a former tree site showed Pb and As concentrations under the dripline of 1400 µg g−1 and 330 µg g−1, respectively, and lower values of 170 µg g−1 and 50 µg g−1 outside the periphery of the crown. Lead, arsenic, and zinc concentrations decreased with increasing depth, with maximum concentrations in the upper 5 cm. No evidence of significant leaching of Pb, As, Zn, or Cu was observed below the 20‐cm depth. The rather insoluble Pb orthoarsenate appeared to be the predominant species for the Pb and As residues.

Short‐Term Effect of Lime, Phosphorus, and Iron Amendments on Water‐Extractable Lead and Arsenic in Orchard Soils

“…Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions INTRODUCTION For many years, lead arsenate [Pb 5 OH(AsO 4 ) 3 ] was the preferred insecticide used by farmers to control insects in orchards because it adhered to plant surfaces, thereby providing a long-lasting pesticidal effect (Shepard 1951;Peryea 1998;Vaneman, Murray, and Baker 1983). Lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) accumulated in the surface of orchard soils because Pb and As are not required by plants and are slightly sorbed onto clays, organic matter, and oxides of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn) in soils (Aten et al 1980;Peryea 1991;Wauchope 1975;Woolson, Axley, and Kearney 1971;Xu, Allard, and Grimvall 1991).…”

Phosphate-enhanced movement of arsenic out of lead arsenate-contaminated topsoil and through uncontaminated subsoil

“…Frequent applications at high rates led to substantial Pb and As accumulation in orchard topsoils. Lead arsenate-contaminated soils have been reported in fruit-growing regions of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA, and likely occur m many other countries (Jones andHatch, 1937: Pocklington andTatton, 1966;Stevens et al, 1970: Frank et al, 1976Merry ctal., 1983;Veneman et al, 1983;Elfving et al, 1994;Merwin et al, 1994;Peryea and Creger, 1994).…”

“…Arsenic in lead arsenate-contaminated soils is phytoavailable (Jones and Hatch, 1937;MacLean andLangille, 1981" Creger andPeryea, 1992; mobile (Veneman et al, 1983;Elfvmg et al, 1994: Peryea and. Many environmental and management factors influence the magnitude of these processes (Woolson, 1983).…”

Arsenic Distribution in Green Bean Yield Irrigated by Waste Water

“…This indicates that the contamination came from direct soil and dust contact and not as uptake by the plant. Veneman et al worked on arsenic and lead distribution in soil [3]. He studied that arsenic slowly leached through the soil while lead is quite immobile.…”