Sorption Isotherms and KocS Estimation of Pyrethroids in Sediments

Abstract

Laboratory sorption isotherm batch studies have been attempted to elucidate interaction of synthetic pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin) with sediments and their fractions. As a nonlinear isothermal model, the Freundlich equation was applied to sorption results obtained from sediments to investigate the relationship between synthetic pyrethroids and sediments containing different amounts of organic carbon. Results demonstrated that the sorption capabilities of bifenthrin and cis- and trans-permethrin was in the order of bifenthrin, cis-permethrin and trans-permethrin, respectively, indicating that adsorbed bifenthrin was the most stable followed by cis- and trans-permethrin in all sediments. Their sorption capability was closely related to organic carbon contents in sediments. Higher sorption was observed in sediments containing higher organic carbon contents. Sorption study extended into the fractions, clay and humic acids, extracted from a sediment, indicated that higher sorption capacity in humic acids occurred than in the clay of both examined bifenthrin and permethrin. This study demonstrates the sorption of synthetic pyrethroids with sediments, and will help in the understanding of the transport and fate of synthetic pyrethroids existing in field sediments.