Mineralization and Uptake of Triazine Pesticide in Soil‐Plant Systems

Abstract

Deep-rooted trees planted as a buffer zone can intercept runoff and eroded sediments, thus reducing non–point-source pollution due to agricultural chemicals. In this study, \IPopulus\N sp. were grown in bioreactors with an agricultural soil (silt-loam) and in a silica-sand media; both were spiked with ¹\u4C uniformly ring-labeled atrazine. The plants took up over 11% of the ¹\u4C labeled atrazine applied to the silt-loam soil and over 91% of that applied to the silica sand media, with the majority of the ¹\u4C accumulating as non-phytotoxic metabolites in the leaves. Research suggests that, in addition to nutrient uptake, poplar tree buffer strips may be effective in removing atrazine from agricultural percolation and runoff water.