Movement of Toxaphene and Fluometuron Through Dunbar Soil to Underlying Ground Water

Abstract

AbstractOne hundred kilograms per hectare of toxaphene (octachlorocamphene) and 40 kg/ha of fluometuron (3‐[m‐trifluoromethylphenyl‐1,1‐dimethylurea) were applied to Dunbar topsoil in a field plot in the South Carolina Coastal Plain. Loss of both pesticides from the topsoil and accumulation in underlying ground water were monitored for 1 year.Toxaphene loss from topsoil seemed to occur in two stages. The second (major) stage was crudely linear on a log residue vs. log time plot. Half‐residence time in the topsoil was about 100 days.Fluometuron loss from topsoil occurred in one continuous episode that was crudely linear on a log residue vs. linear time plot. Half‐residence time in the topsoil was about 120 days.Toxaphene and fluometuron were found in underlying ground water within 2 months after they were applied to the topsoil. Both pesticides persisted in ground water during the entire year. Overall, concentrations gradually decreased with time.