Fate and degradation of triasulfuron in soil and water under laboratory conditions

• Published in: Journal of environmental science and health. Part B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 498 - 505
• Main Authors: Gennari, Mara, Abbate, Cristina, Baglieri, Andrea, Negre, Michele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.08.2008; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adsorption; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; AMMT; analysis; biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; CBSA; degradation; degradation products; environmental fate; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Herbicides; Herbicides - analysis; Herbicides - metabolism; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolysis; Italy; Kinetics; Mass Spectrometry; metabolism; Soil and water pollution; Soil Pollutants; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; soil pollution; soil properties; Soil science; sterile soil; Sulfonylurea Compounds; Sulfonylurea Compounds - analysis; Sulfonylurea Compounds - metabolism; Triasulfuron; unsterile soil; water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; water pollution; Italy; Europe; Biodegradation; Laboratory study; Triasulfuron; degradation products; Pesticides; Environmental factor; Microflora; Agricultural soil; Soil pollution; AMMT; water; Herbicide; Degradation; CBSA; Sulfonylureas; sterile soil; Degradation product; unsterile soil
• ISSN: 0360-1234; 1532-4109; 1532-4109
• DOI: 10.1080/03601230802174649

The behavior and fate of triasulfuron (TRS) in water and soil systems were examined in laboratory studies. The degradation of TRS in both buffer solution and soil was highly pH-sensitive. The rate of degradation could be described with a pseudo first-order kinetic and was much faster at pH 4 than at pH 7 and 9. Aqueous hydrolysis occurred by cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge to form 2-(2-chloroethoxy) benzenesulfonamide (CBSA) and [(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] (AMMT). AMMT was unstable in aqueous solutions in any pH condition but it degraded more quickly at pH 4 and 9. CBSA did not degrade in aqueous solutions or in enriched cultures but it underwent a quick degradation in the soil. The rates of TRS degradation in sterile and non-sterile soils were similar, suggesting that microorganisms played a minimal role in the breakdown process. This hypothesis is supported by the results of studies on the degradation of TRS by enriched cultures during which the molecule underwent a prevalently chemical degradation.