Transport of Atrazine Versus Bromide and δO18 in Sand

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the process of atrazine transport compared to bromide and δO18 transport in sands near Denver. Three 1.5 × 2 × 1.5-m plots were installed and allowed to equilibrate for 2 years before research initiation and were instrumented with 1.5 × 2-m zero-tension pan lysimeters installed at 1.5-m depths. Additionally, each plot was instrumented with suction lysimeters, tensiometers, time domain reflectometry (TDR) moisture probes, and thermocouples (to measure soil temperature) at 15-cm depth increments. All plots were enclosed with a raised frame (of 8-cm height) to prevent surface runoff. During the 2-year period before research began, all suction and pan lysimeters were purged monthly and were sampled for fluids immediately prior to atrazine and KBr application to obtain background concentrations. Atrazine illustrated little movement until after a significant rainfall event, which peaked concentrations at depths of about 90 to 135 cm. Both Br− and δO18 moved rapidly through the soil, probably owing to soil porosity and anion exclusion for Br−. Concentrations of atrazine exceeding 5.0 μL−1 were observed with depth (90 to 150 cm) after several months. It appears that significant rainfall events were a key factor in the movement of atrazine in the sand, which allowed the chemicals to move to greater depths and thus avoid generally found biodegradation processes.