Atrazine Content Research Articles

Procedures of trophic chain samples preparation for determination of triazines by HPLC and metals by ICP-AES methods

The aim of this research was monitoring the distribution of atrazine and simazine as well as metals Pb, Cd, Zn, Al, Co, Ni, and V along with trophic chains: soil–vegetables and soil, carrot or grass and meat. Different techniques of herbicides extraction by means of many solvents were examined. Triazines were analysed by means of HPLC, metals by means of ICP-AES. Detection limits: LOD = 0.2 μg ml −1, determination limits: LOQ = 0.73 μg ml −1 for atrazine and LOD = 0.3 μg ml −1, LOQ = 1.12 μg ml −1 for simazine were obtained. The content (μg g −1) of simazine in soil was in range: 3.45–8.60, in vegetable roots: 6.62–38.15, in vegetable leaves: 2.45–31.71, in rabbit fat: 0.13–49.90. The content (μg g −1) of atrazine in soils was in range: 11.9–13.03, in vegetable roots: 13.61–92.90. In analysed material the particular metals after microwave or dry digestion were determined in range (μg g −1): Pb: 6.48–43.18; Cd: 0.11–0.57; Zn: 8.79–51.90; Al: 10.22–24.48; Co: 0.18–3.89; Ni: 0.37–6.36; V: 0.29–1.48.

Investigating thein situ degradation of atrazine in groundwater

This study focused on whether or not atrazine could be degraded by indigenous groundwater bacteria as part of an in situ remediation approach. Groundwater was taken from an unconfined middle upper chalk site where concentrations of atrazine and nitrate were typically in the ranges 0.02-0.2 microg litre-1 and 11.6-25.1 mg NO3-N litre-1 respectively. Sacrificial batch studies were performed using this groundwater spiked with atrazine at a concentration of 10 microg litre-1 in conjunction with a minimal mineral salts liquid (Glu-MMSL) medium which contained glucose as the sole carbon source. Treatments comprised either the Glu-MMSL groundwater cultured bacteria or Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. Results from sacrificial batches indicated the occurrence of bacterial growth and denitrification as monitored by optical density (absorbance at 600 nm) and NO3-N content. Analysis of atrazine content by solid phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography showed no degradation of atrazine over a period of 103 days in either treatment. These results indicated that no acclimatised bacterial community featuring positive degraders to the herbicide atrazine had become established within this chalk aquifer in response to the trace levels encountered.

Distribution of pesticides and heavy metals in trophic chain

Determination of triazines herbicides (atrazine and simazine) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in samples of trophic chain were worked out. Determination limits of 0.5 μg g −1 for atrazine, 0.8 μg g −1 for simazine with pesticides recovery of 70–77% in trophic chain samples were obtained. The content of simazine in soils was in range 1.72–57.89 μg g −1, in grass 5–88 μg g −1, in milk 2.32–15.29 μg g −1, in cereals 10.98–387 μg g −1, in eggs 30.14–59.48 μg g −1, for fruits: 2.45–6.19 μg g −1. The content of atrazine in soils was in range 0.69–19.59 μg g −1, in grass 7.85–23.85 μg g −1, in cereals 1.88–43.08 μg g −1. Cadmium, lead and zinc were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) in the same samples as atrazine and simazine. Determination limits for cadmium 5 × 10 −3 μg g −1, for lead 1 × 10 −2 μg g −1, and for zinc 0.2 × 10 −3 μg g −1, were obtained. The content of cadmium in soil was in range 0.13–5.89 μg g −1, in grass 114–627.72 × 10 −3 μg g −1, in milk 8.88–61.88 × 10 −3 μg g −1, in cereals 0.20–0.31 μg g −1, in eggs 0.11–0.15 μg g −1, in fruits 0.23–0.59 μg g −1. The content of lead in soils was in range 0.57–151.50 μg g −1, in grass 0.16–136.57 μg g −1, in milk 1.16–3.74 μg g −1, in cereals 1.05–5.47 μg g −1, in eggs 5.79–55.87 μg g −1, in fruits 21.00–87.36 μg g −1. Zinc content in soil was in range 9.15–424.5 μg g −1, in grass 35.20–55.87 μg g −1, in milk 20.00–34.38 μg g −1, in cereals 14.94–28.78 μg g −1, in eggs 15.67–32.01 μg g −1, in fruits 14.94–18.88 μg g −1. Described below extraction and mineralization methods for particular trophic chains allowed to determine of atrazine, simazine, cadmium, lead and zinc with good repeatability and precision. Emphasis was focused on liquid–liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction of atrazine and simazine from analysed materials, as well as, on monitoring the content of herbicides and metals in soil and along trophic chain. Higher concentration of pesticides in samples from west region of Poland in comparison to that of east region is likely related to common applying them in Western Europe in relation to East Europe. The content of metals strongly depends on samples origin (industry area, vicinity of motorways).

Comparison of the leaching behaviour of two maize herbicides: atrazine and sulcotrione

In a soil column experiment under outdoor conditions, we monitored the fate of 14 C-ring-labelled sulcotrione and atrazine in water percolates and in the ploughed horizon of a sandy-silty soil. The application rates were 1000 and 450 g.ha -1 , respectively, for atrazine and sulcotrione. Two months after treatment, the cumulative amounts of herbicide residues leached from the soil were 14.5% and 7% of the applied radioactivity for sulcotrione and atrazine, respectively. The maximum percolate concentrations for each herbicide were observed during the first month following application; 120 μg.L -1 and 95 μg.L -1 for sulcotrione and atrazine, respectively. After 2 weeks, 78% of the sulcotrione and atrazine was extractable from the soil, whereas after two months only 10% and 4%, respectively, could be extracted. The maximum sulcotrione and atrazine contents in the first ten centimetres of soil were identical. For both molecules, the content of non-extractable residues was low, being around 15%. The sulcotrione seems to be a more mobile product than the atrazine. Even if much smaller leachate concentrations would be expected to impact groundwater than those found in this study, the classification of the molecules would stay the same.

Development of Liposome Immune Lysis Assay for the Herbicide Atrazine

A homogeneous complement‐mediated liposome immune lysis assay (LILA) was developed for determination of the herbicide atrazine. To dispose the antigen on the surface of lipid bilayer the atrazine was conjugated to a dimirystoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) carrier. Calcein was compared with sulforhodamine 101 as a fluorophore label for entrapping into the antigen‐sensitized liposomes. The liposomes were incubated with rabbit anti‐atrazine antibodies in the presence of guinea pig complement. Formation of the antigen–antibody complexes on the liposomal surface initiated the lytic action of the complement. As free competing atrazine inhibited the lytic reaction, the amount of calcein released was inversely proportional to the atrazine content in the probe. Concentration and kinetic dependences of the immunoassay were characterized to reach its maximal sensitivity. The developed assay allows detecting atrazine in concentrations up to 0.13 ng mL−1 in the sample (0.04 ng mL−1 in the final reaction mixture). The named sensitivity is two orders higher than those for the microplate enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the same antibodies which allows us to recommend LILA for environmental monitoring.

The preparation of a certified reference material of polar pesticides in freeze-dried water (CRM 606)

The preparation of a certified reference material of polar pesticides in freeze-dried water is described. The pesticides selected were atrazine, simazine, carbaryl, propanil, linuron, fenamiphos and permethrin which were added to 6000 litres of tap water at 50–80 μg · L–1 (200–320 μg · L–1 for permethrin) level in presence of NaCl (2.5 g · L–1) prior lyophilization. After the freeze-drying process the residue was rehomogenized, filled into amber glass bottles and stored at –20 °C, +4 °C and +20 °C. All pesticides were determined by HPLC/diode array detector, except permethrin which was determined by GC/ECD. The results obtained for atrazine, simazine, carbaryl, propanil, linuron and fenamiphos showed no within- or between-bottle inhomogeneity, however the material was non-homogeneous for permethrin and therefore this was withdrawn from further studies. With respect to the stability for over one year, all pesticides were stable at –20 °C. At +4 °C all pesticides were stable for at least 9 months and at +20 °C the stability was demonstrated only during the first month of storage. The content (mass fractions) of atrazine, simazine, carbaryl, propanil and linuron in freeze-dried water (CRM 606) was certified by an interlaboratory testing and a certification campaign.

New developments in immunochemical water analysis down to 30 μl sample volume

The determination of trace levels of pesticides like atrazine in water samples of small, restricted volumes is one of the future demands of environmental analysis. In a brief review existing chromatographic and immunochemical methods for atrazine are critically discussed. Then a simple rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the tip of an inoculation needle as a solid surface is presented. The sample volume could be reduced to 30 μl. The assay had a centre of the test IC 50 of 0.12 μg l −1 and permitted the characterisation of atrazine at levels of 0.022–2.90 μg l −1. A first outlook for automatisation is given. The new method was compared with an ELISA using 96 well microtiter plates as a solid phase. Surface water samples with low atrazine contents were analysed to check the new method.

Release of atrazine and alachlor from clay-oxamide controlled-release formulations

Controlled-release herbicide formulations have been shown to decrease the leaching potential of several herbicides under laboratory and -eld conditions. The utility and efficacy of these formulations may be improved by combining several herbicides and a fertilizer source in a single formulation. The objective of these studies was to develop granular alginate formulations that were composed of a combination of the herbicides atrazine and alachlor with the slow-release nitrogen source oxamide (ethanediamide). Controlled release of the herbicides was obtained by addition of selected minerals, including calcium bentonite, -ne- grind bentonite, montmorillonite K10, kaolinite and iron (III) oxide. A formula- tion without clay was used as a comparison. The formulations tested had herbicide active ingredient contents ranging from D0E02 to 0E54% and a nitro- gen content of 21%. Release of the herbicides was studied by equilibrating the formulations with deionized water on a rotary shaker at 200 rev min~1 and sam- pling at regular time intervals up to 104 hours. The minerals used in the di†erent formulations inNuenced the herbicide active ingredient composition, as well as the release properties of the individual formulations. The atrazine content of the formulations decreased in the order calcium bentonite ( -ne-grind bentonite ( kaolinite ( montmorillonite iron oxide ( no clay. For alachlor the content decreased in the order of calcium bentonite ( -ne-grind bentonite ( montmorillonite ( iron oxide ( kaolinite ( no clay. Controlled release of atrazine (i.e. reduction in release rate) varied in the order calcium bentonite ( iron oxide ( montmorillonite ( -ne-grind bentonite kaolinite ( no clay, and for alachlor -ne-grind bentonite ( calcium bentonite ( montmorillonite ( no clay kaolinite iron oxide. A certain per- centage of the applied active ingredient of both alachlor and atrazine was not recovered. From 5 to 27% of the active ingredient was not released, with the greatest retention by the bentonite formulations. Release of nitrogen was not strongly inNuenced by mineral type, although a trend indicated greater release with formulations containing kaolinite. 1998 SCI ( Pestic. Sci., 53, 233E240 (1998)

Release of atrazine and alachlor from clay‐oxamide controlled‐release formulations

Controlled-release herbicide formulations have been shown to decrease the leaching potential of several herbicides under laboratory and field conditions. The utility and efficacy of these formulations may be improved by combining several herbicides and a fertilizer source in a single formulation. The objective of these studies was to develop granular alginate formulations that were composed of a combination of the herbicides atrazine and alachlor with the slow-release nitrogen source oxamide (ethanediamide). Controlled release of the herbicides was obtained by addition of selected minerals, including calcium bentonite, fine-grind bentonite, montmorillonite K10, kaolinite and iron (III) oxide. A formulation without clay was used as a comparison. The formulations tested had herbicide active ingredient contents ranging from ∽0·02 to 0·54% and a nitrogen content of 21%. Release of the herbicides was studied by equilibrating the formulations with deionized water on a rotary shaker at 200 rev min-1 and sampling at regular time intervals up to 104 hours. The minerals used in the different formulations influenced the herbicide active ingredient composition, as well as the release properties of the individual formulations. The atrazine content of the formulations decreased in the order calcium bentonite>fine-grind bentonite>kaolinite>montmorillonite=iron oxide>no clay. For alachlor the content decreased in the order of calcium bentonite>fine-grind bentonite>montmorillonite>iron oxide>kaolinite>no clay. Controlled release of atrazine (i.e. reduction in release rate) varied in the order calcium bentonite>iron oxide>montmorillonite>fine-grind bentonite= kaolinite>no clay, and for alachlor fine-grind bentonite>calcium bentonite>montmorillonite>no clay=kaolinite=iron oxide. A certain percentage of the applied active ingredient of both alachlor and atrazine was not recovered. From 5 to 27% of the active ingredient was not released, with the greatest retention by the bentonite formulations. Release of nitrogen was not strongly influenced by mineral type, although a trend indicated greater release with formulations containing kaolinite. © 1998 SCI

Persistence and leaching of atrazine in corn culture in the experimental site of La Côte Saint André (Isère, France)

The fate of atrazine in corn culture was studied under field conditions during the years 1991–1992. After a preemergence treatment (1000 g/ha atrazine used under a flowable formulation) occurring at the end of April, samples of soil-water and soil were collected periodically at different depths in the one-meter-thick upper layer of the soil, supporting the corn culture at the Experimental Farm of La Cote Saint Andre (Isere, France). Atrazine and its metabolites deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine, measured by GC analysis, were present throughout the year in soil samples and soil-water samples at every sampling date and at each depth. Atrazine concentration varied from 0.2 to 14.7 μg/L in soil-water samples. The total content of atrazine, deethylatrazine, and deisopropylatrazine dissolved in the soil water of the one-meter-thick upper soil layer varied throughout the year from 33 to 94 g/ha. Under our conditions of sampling, the total amount (atrazine and metabolites) leached annually was tentatively estimated as the product of the weekly concentration of the soil water at 80 cm depth by the total volume of water drained for the corresponding week. The total amount of atrazine plus metabolites obtained through this estimation procedure was close to 50 g/ha, representing approximately 5% of the treatment applied (0.6% when atrazine alone was taken into account). Due to the importance of the rapid macropore transport of water after a heavy rainfall in the fluvio-glacial type of soil studied here, there most probably was an important leaching of free atrazine on the occasion of abundant rains during the first month after treatment. The amount dissolved in soil-water seemed to be but remotely associated with the adsorbed content in soil since partition equilibrium conditions, as shown, for example, in experiments establishing Koc values, were probably only rarely obtained between soil and soil-water under field conditions. Atrazine, initially exclusively located on the soil surface, appears progressively at all levels of the one-meter layer studied. One year after the spraying of 1 kg/ha atrazine, only 15% of the initial deposit was still present (in the form of atrazine, deethyatrazine, or deisopropylatrazine) in the one-meter-thick upper layer. The major part of the atrazine deposit (close to 80–85%) was dissipated essentially through metabolization, early leaching, and volatilization, while the role played by plant absorption and formation of non-extractable residues remained low. Just before a new crop season, the average amount of atrazine and metabolites in the one-meter layer was measured to be close to 400 g/ha (150, 125, and 125 for atrazine, deethylatrazine, and deisopropylatrazine, respectively).

Patterns of Herbicide Contamination in Selected Vermont Streams Detected by Enzyme Immunoassay and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The patterns of contamination of the heavily used herbicide atrazine were determined in four Vermont streams. Over two seasons, 600 streamwater samples were collected following rain events and analyzed for atrazine content using a low-cost enzyme immunoassay (EIA). To ensure the accuracy of the EIA and to determine the concentration patterns of five other herbicides commonly used in Vermont (alachlor, cyanazine, metolachlor, pendimethalin, and simazine), 30% of the water samples were also analyzed using standard gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. Fifty stream sediment samples were also analyzed by GC/MS. The atrazine concentrations detected in the water samples varied from less than 1 to over 7 μg/L, depending on the rainfall patterns during the season, the location of the sampling site within the watershed, and the intensity of the agricultural activity surrounding the sites. Combined water concentrations of all six herbicides were often several times higher than atrazine concentrations. Except in the largest stream, herbicide contamination usually occurred in pulses that dissipated within a few days after each rain event. Only trace amounts of two of the six herbicides were found in stream bottom sediment samples.

Equations of atrazine transfer from agricultural land to surface water

As atrazine, the most widely used herbicide in agriculture, makes problems for water supply, the Cemagref study its transfer from lands to surface water. On a small basin of central Brittany, soil and water contents of atrazine have been monitored from 1991 to 1994. Data show that atrazine content of the top layer of soil decreases slowly after spreading. Degradation works more than leaching for this decrease. There is always atrazine in the water of the stream at the outlet of the basin. The concentration of atrazine in water increase sharply in every flood and then decrease slowly. The maximum level of concentration in each flood is very well correlated with the ratio of maximum discharge to the base flow. It means that quick superficial flow of water is the most contaminated water. It brings most of the total flow of atrazine which can be measured in the stream. However, this flow represent only a very small part of the spread atrazine on the basin: less than 1%.

Analyzing cumulative environmental effects of agricultural land drainage in southern Ontario, Canada

The temporal and spatial attributes of agricultural land drainage suggest that drainage is a potential source of cumulative environmental change. This paper applies a cumulative effects model of drainage to the case of southern Ontario, Canada. The application is focused on the cumulative effects of drainage on volume and timing of water flow, content of nitrate-nitrogen and atrazine residue in receiving channels, and area and distribution of wetlands. These are investigated using available information on drainage-environment interactions and geographic information system (GIS) technology. Available data show that the combined effect of two pathways of accumulation in drained areas (i.e. subsurface flow and runoff) increases the content of nitrate in water, but decreases the atrazine content, relative to the single pathway (i.e. runoff) in undrained areas. Drainage alters timing and volume of water flow at the field scale, but evidence of accumulation of these changes at the watershed scale is inconclusive for southern Ontario. This is attributed to counteractive processes and constraints of available data bases. Fragmentary effects are evident in the spatial association between drainage density and change in area and contiguity of wetlands at the subregional and regional scales. Application of GIS demonstrated that 47% of the decline in total wetland area (1312 ha) in Peel Township during 1800–1990 is attributable to subsurface drainage. Average patch size decreased nearly 50%, and the number of large patches (> 50 ha) declined by about 65%. In southern Ontario, counties with the greatest reduction in wetland area are consistently characterized by high drainage density. Collectively, the empirical application demonstrated the utility of the cumulative effects model, and showed that it is possible to conduct a cumulative effects analysis using available information sources.

Occurrence of atrazine in surface and ground waters in the province of Salamanca (Spain)

The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the atrazine content in 48 surface and ground waters from the province of Salamanca (Spain), 21 of which were used for human consumption. The atrazine concentrations found ranged from 0.04 to 41.17 μg L‐1. Ninety six percent of the waters were found to contain some atrazine in at least one sampling period. The results provided by the ELISA technique are compared with those obtained by HPLC from one series of water samples.

Contamination of soils in the Slovak republic by persistent pesticides and their transport in soil-plant system

Results of analyses of chlorinated insecticides (Lindan, DDT) in 695 soil samples and in 337 samples of agricultural crops are presented. These results include 232 soil-plant sample pairs. The level of the persistent chlorinated insecticides varies according to sample provenance, type of agricultural product and growing period of biomass. The highest levels of the both determined insecticides were found in samples from East Slovakia. From the 24 types of the tested agricultural crops the majority of wheat, lucerne and clover was not contaminated. Rapeseeds were the most contaminated crops. The analyses of atrazine in soil samples show that the overlasting of atrazine in soil is strongly dependent on applied doses, number of applications, application date, soil environment and climatic conditions. The most intensive decomposition of atrazine occurs in fields of South Slovakia. There were found the lowest atrazine contents even after repeated applications. The atrazine content was quite low in maize which was grown in a treated soil as well as in pea, barley and wheat which was grown in a soil with a residual content of atrazine.

Leaching of atrazine into ground water

AbstractA study of the leaching of atrazine from soils in Denmark with high hydraulic conductivity demonstrated only small quantities of the herbicide in the upper ground‐water zone. The atrazine‐treated fields were situated in a region where the water table was high and free lying and where the cover layer consisted of sand. Samples were taken from the upper 1–5 m ground‐water zone at three well‐defined levels. The atrazine content was between 0.01 and 0.05 μg litre−1 the highest concentrations being found at the top of the ground‐water zone.

Effects of drying and duration of storage on the extractable atrazine content of soil samples

Effects of drying and duration of storage on the extractable atrazine content of soil samples

ATRAZINE RESIDUES IN TILE-DRAIN-WATER FROM CORN PLOTS AS AFFECTED BY CROPPING PRACTICES AND FERTILITY LEVELS

The herbicide atrazine was applied pre-emergence to corn plots which were drained by separate drains (average depth 70 cm). Water samples were collected from the tile outlets, extracted with chloroform, and the atrazine content determined by gas chromatography. The discharge of atrazine residues monitored over a 4-yr period ranged from 2.75 to 8.69 g/ha annually. The concentration varied between 0.5 and 3.50 μg/liter of water. Losses of atrazine were greater from plots under a continuous corn crop and a high fertility level than from plots under rotation corn and low fertility.