Degradation and Leaching of Methazole in Soil

Abstract

The degradation and leaching of methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] and metabolites in Elmwood sandy loam soil over time in response to average spring environmental conditions was studied by using soil columns placed on a rainfall simulator in an environmental growth chamber. Methazole was degraded to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea (DCPMU) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea (DCPU) over a 6-week period following methazole application, during which the soil columns received simulated rainfall of 1.27 cm every fourth day. Methazole level decreased to 27% of the original amount while DCPMU and DCPU levels increased to 53% and 1%, respectively. Of the total radioactivity remaining in the soil columns after 44 days and after 14 cm rainfall, approximately 80% remained above a depth of 6.35 mm.