The bioconcentration factor of pesticides in potatoes.

We presented a model that estimates the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of pesticides in potatoes supposing that the pesticide in the soil solution is absorbed by the potato by passive diffusion, following Fick?s second law. The pesticides in the model are nonionic organic substances, traditionally used in potato crops that degrade in the soil according to a first order kinetic equation. This presents an expression that relates BCF with the pesticide elimination rate by the potato, with the pesticide accumulation rate within the potato, with the rate of growth of the potato and with the pesticide degradation rate in the soil. BCF was estimated supposing steady state equilibrium of the quotient between the pesticide concentration in the potato and the pesticide concentration in the soil solution. It is suggested that a negative correlation exists between the pesticide BCF and the soil sorption partition coefficient. The model was built based on the work of Trapp et al. (2007), [Diffusion of PAH in Potato and Carrot Slices and Applications for a Potato Model] in which an expression to calculate the diffusivity of persistent organic substances in potatoes is presented. The model consists in adding to the expression of Trapp et al. (2007) the hypothesis that the pesticide degrades in the soil. The value of BCF suggests which pesticides should be monitored in potatoes.

Degradation and sorption of fipronil and atrazine in Latossols with organic residues from sugarcane crop.

ABSTRACT: Organic residues from sugarcane crop and processing (vinasse, boiler ash, cake filter, and straw) are commonly applied or left on the soil to enhance its fertility. However, they can influence pesticide degradation and sorption. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of adding these organic residues on the degradation and sorption of fipronil and atrazine in two soils of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brazil. The degradation experiment was carried out with laboratory-incubated (40 days; 28°C; 70% field capacity) soils (0-10cm). The batch equilibration method was used to determine sorption. Fipronil (half-life values of 15-105 days) showed to be more persistent than atrazine (7-17 days). Vinasse application to the soil favored fipronil and atrazine degradation, whereas cake filter application decreased the degradation rates for both pesticides. Values for sorption coefficients (Kd) were determined for fipronil (5.1-13.2mL g-1) and atrazine (0.5-1.5mL g-1). Only straw and cake filter residues enhanced fipronil sorption when added to the soil, whereas all sugarcane residues increased atrazine sorption. RESUMO: Resíduos orgânicos do cultivo e processamento da cana-de-açúcar (vinhaça, cinzas, torta de filtro e palha) são usualmente aplicados ou deixados no solo para aumentar sua fertilidade, mas eles podem influenciar na degradação e sorção de agrotóxicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da adição desses resíduos orgânicos no solo sobre a degradação e sorção do fipronil e da atrazina em dois solos no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brasil. O experimento de degradação foi realizado com solos (0-10cm) incubados em laboratório (40 dias; 28°C; 70% da capacidade de campo). Para determinar a sorção, foi usado o método da batelada. Fipronil mostrou ser mais persistente (valores de meia-vida entre 15-105 dias) que atrazina (7-17 dias). O solo com adição de vinhaça favoreceu a degradação de fipronil e atrazina, enquanto adição da torta de filtro desacelerou o processo. Os valores do coeficiente de sorção (Kd) foram determinados para fipronil (5,1-13,2mL g-1) e atrazina (0,5-1,5mL g-1). Apenas os resíduos palha e torta de filtro aumentaram a sorção de fipronil quando adicionados ao solo, enquanto todos os resíduos aumentaram a sorção de atrazina.

Dynamic of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils treated with biochar.

In recent years the interest in pyrogenic carbon for agricultural use (biochar, i.e. carbonized biomass for agricultural use) has sharply increased. However biochar contain dangerous compounds such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of them potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. They are organic compounds formed from incomplete combustion of organic materials and are persistent pollutants. Therefore, PAHs concentrations and their dynamic must be evaluated in soils amended with biochar. For this, soil samples were collected in three experimental areas in different years (1, 3, 5 or 6) after the application of 0 (control) or 16 Mg ha-1 of biochar. This is the first report of PAHs persistence up to six years in soil treated with biochar. The biochar application increased total PAHs concentrations up to five years after the application, however the levels have always been an order of magnitude lower the limits of prevention established by International Environmental Agencies for soils. Thus, under the evaluated conditions ,the use of biochar was safe concerning PAHs contamination, besides, after six years of the application, the levels found were similar to the control treatment, making it possible to define a safe frequency of application based on the persistence of PAHs in soil.