Enzymatic hydrolysis of concentrated diazinon in soil.

Abstract

Organophosphate pesticides applied to agricultural environments at recommended rates are not extremely persistent. However, if spills occur as a result of handling or transportation accidents, the high pesticide level in the contaminated soil will not degrade rapidly (WOLFE et al. 1973). In these instances, the pesticide active ingredient in the soil may be in the range of 1% to 5% and therefore, detoxification and clean up procedures are required. Microbial enzymes may be an effective way to achieve rapid and complete decontamination of high concentrations of pesticides in soil.