Abstract
Pest control technology was introduced into the tropics without considering the specificity of their ecosystems and the risk of pollution was underestimated. Some volcanic soils (andosols) contain nanoclay (allophane) with a unique structure and porous properties compared to crystalline clays. Andosols are characterized by large pore volume and pore size distribution, a high specific surface area, and a fractal structure. These soils are more polluted than the other kinds of tropical soils but release less pollutants (chlordecone) to water and plants. The literature shows that the allophane microstructure favors accumulation and sequestration of chlordecone, an organochlorine pesticide, in andosols. We used a numerical model to simulate the structure of allophane aggregates. The algorithm is based on a cluster-cluster aggregation model. From the simulated data, we derived the structural features, pore volume and tortuosity, and its transport properties, hydraulic conductivity and diffusion. We show that transport properties decrease because of the presence of allophane. We propose that low hydraulic conductivity and diffusion are important parameters to explain the high concentrations and trapping of pollutants in andosols.
Highlights
We propose that low hydraulic conductivity and diffusion are important parameters to explain the high concentrations and trapping of pollutants in andosols
The French West Indies are affected by severe agricultural pollution by chlordecone (CHLD)
CHLD contamination of the soil can be assessed using the WISORCH model [1], which simulates well the soil CHLD content, taking into account the past pesticide application and CHLD leaching by rain, it could be one way to estimate soil CHLD content in banana fields. This could reduce the cost of the measurement of CHLD content in soils, as a lot of banana fields are concerned by this pollution
Summary
The French West Indies are affected by severe agricultural pollution by chlordecone (CHLD). CHLD contamination of the soil can be assessed using the WISORCH model [1], which simulates well the soil CHLD content, taking into account the past pesticide application and CHLD leaching by rain, it could be one way to estimate soil CHLD content in banana fields This could reduce the cost of the measurement of CHLD content in soils, as a lot of banana fields are concerned by this pollution. Our purpose is to show to what extent the type of soil can affect its transfer towards water and plants, and to explore the processes involved To this end, we use experimental results and a modeling approach
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