Pesticides In Soil Research Articles

Experimental study on photodegradation and leaching of typical pesticides in greenhouse soil from Shouguang, Shandong Province, East China

BackgroundPesticide use contributes to national food security. The dissipation pathways and degradation mechanisms of pesticides have been widely studied and pesticide residues have remained a focus of public concern. However, studies on the migration and transformation behaviors of pesticide residues in real-world greenhouse soils are insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we collected greenhouse soil from Shouguang, Shandong Province, and investigated the photodegradation and leaching of 17 common pesticides, which leave residues in the soil and are the most frequently used pesticides in Shouguang. The environmental behavior of pesticides in greenhouse soils will provide new information on pesticide residues in the real environment and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of pesticide pollution in greenhouse soils.ResultsThe photodegradation of trifloxystrobin followed a first-order kinetic equation, whereas those of emamectin benzoate, chlorantraniliprole, buprofezin, difenoconazole, pyraclostrobin, boscalid, tebuconazole, isoprothiolane, metalaxyl, and oxadixyl followed second-order kinetics. The half-lives of 17 pesticides under light and dark conditions ranged from 2.5–104 (mean: 36.2) and 2.6–110 (mean: 31.4) days, respectively. The half-lives of emamectin benzoate, pyraclostrobin, and metalaxyl in the light were 86.6%, 68.5%, and 94.5% of their half-lives in the dark, respectively. Chlorantraniliprole, metalaxyl, nitenpyram, diethofencarb, acetamiprid, carbendazim, and oxadixyl were leached to ≥ 90% in aqueous solution. Six pesticides, avermectin B1A, emamectin benzoate, trifloxystrobin, difenoconazole, pyraclostrobin, and buprofezin, were difficult to leach from aqueous solutions.ConclusionsThe degradation rate of some pesticides was higher in the light environment than in the dark. The leaching potential of the leachable pesticides was nitenpyram ≫ metalaxyl > acetamiprid > carbendazim > diethofencarb ≈ chlorantraniliprole > isoprothiolane > oxadixyl > boscalid ≈ tebuconazole > hexaconazole. Pesticides that are easy to leach but not easily degraded, such as chlorantraniliprole and metalaxyl, have a high potential risk of groundwater pollution, and additional degradation technologies should be used to reduce their pollution risk. The study of the photodegradation and vertical migration behavior of various pesticides is conducive to providing references for the agricultural use and pollution control of pesticides.

Co-Metabolism Kinetics of Bioremediation of Lambda Cyhalothrin, Chlorpyrifos and Malathion Contaminated Loam Soil Using Bio-Slurry Microbes

The indiscriminate use of insecticide in agricultural soils causes significant soil and water pollution and poses a serious threat to the global community. Degradation of these pollutants is therefore vital in pollution control. Microbial fuel cells have been employed in bio-remediation of organic pollutants due to its environmental friendliness and low cost. The occurrence of pesticides in soil has become a highly significant environmental problem, which has been increased by the vast use of pesticides worldwide and the absence of remediation technologies that have been tested at full-scale.
 In this study, bioremediation experiments were conducted at ambient temperature of 28-32 0C and pH 5.6-8.9 to investigate the effectiveness of the process in the clean-up of pesticide contaminated loam soils. The loam soil was assessed for macro and micro properties prior to the experiments in control procedures. A H-shaped double chamber microbial fuel cell was fabricated where the anodic chamber was loaded with 750 mL loam soil inoculated with 750 mL bio-slurry doped with 10 mL of 10 ppm lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos and malathion pesticide solutions. The cathodic chamber was loaded with 1500 mL distilled water. The setup was incubated for a 90 days’ retention time where voltage and current were recorded daily using a multi-meter. The degradation level was assessed using a GC-MS after sample extraction using standard QuEChERs method.
 The voltage generated from the pesticide doped loam soil showed an upward trend from day 0 to day 15 in lambda cyhalothrin and malathion and from day 0 to day 20 in chlorpyrifos and pesticide mixture after which constant readings were observed for three days with downward trends thereafter. The maximum generated voltage was 0.537 V, 0.571 V, 0.572 V and 0.509 V in chlorpyrifos, lambda cyhalothrin, malathion and pesticide mix (MCL) respectively. The bioremediation levels for chlorpyrifos and malathion were 65.80 % and 71.32 %, respectively while no detectable, lambda cyhalothrin was observed after day 60 of the study. This study concludes that bioremediation of lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos and malathion in Limuru loam soil can be achieved using microbial fuel cells.

A risk entropy approach for linking pesticides and soil bacterial communities

Pesticides play a vital role in ensuring modern agricultural production, but also adversely affecting soil health. Microorganisms are the cornerstone of soil ecology, however, to date, there are few unified standards to measure the risk of soil pesticide residues to soil microbial community. To compensate for this gap, we collected soil samples from 55 orchards and monitored and risk-assessed 165 pesticides to microbial community in the soil. Results showed that a total of 137 pesticides were detected in all samples. Pesticide residues significantly influenced the microbial diversity and community structure in orchard soils, particularly fungicides and herbicides. The risk entropy of each pesticide was calculated in all samples and it was found that 60% of the samples had a "pesticide risk" (Risk quotient > 0.01), where the relative abundance significantly increased in 43 genera and significantly decreased in 111 genera (p < 0.05). Through multiple screens, we finally identified Bacillus and Sphingomonas as the most abundant sensitive genera under pesticide perturbation. The results showed that despite the complexity of the effects of pesticide residues on soils health, we could reveal them by identifying changes in soil bacterial, especially by the differences of microbial biomarkers abundance. The present study could provide new insights into the research strategy for pesticide pollution on soil microbial communities. Environmental ImplicationThe risk of pesticide residues in soil needs to be quantified and standardized. We believe that microorganisms can be used as a marker to indicate soil pesticide residue risk.For this end, we investigated the residues of 165 pesticides in 55 orchard soil samples, calculated pesticide risk entropy and their effects on the soil microbial community.Through multiple analyzing and screening, we ultimately identified that, out of the 154 detected biomarkers, Bacillus and Sphingomonas were the most abundant sensitive genera under pesticide perturbation, which have the potential to be used as key biomarkers of soil microbiomes induced by pesticide perturbation.

Наукове обґрунтування медико-санітарного нормативу у ґрунті нових стійких пестицидів – представників різних хімічних класів

The aim: scientific substantiation of the medical-sanitary regulations is the maximum permissible concentration in soil of modern persistent pesticides: amicarbazone from the class of triazolones, bicyclopyrone from the class of triketones and pydiflumetofen from the class of pyrazolecarboxamides. Materials and methods. Three stages of research were carried out: mathematical modeling of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen migration from soil to adjacent environments; laboratory hygienic experiment to examine studied substances behavior in systems «soil – plants», «soil - atmospheric air» and substantiation of their threshold concentrations in soil according to the translocation, air-migration and water-migration indicators of harmfulness; impact study of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen on the nitrifying activity of leached chernozem and setting their threshold concentrations according to the general sanitary indicator of harmfulness. Results. It was experimentally established that the threshold concentrations in soil according to the water-migration indicator of harmfulness are the concentrations of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen of 0.02 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg, and 0.06 mg/kg, respectively. The calculated threshold concentrations of amicarbazone (0.05 mg/kg), bicyclopyrone (0.02 mg/kg) and pydiflumetofen (0.05 mg/kg), which were obtained by mathematical modeling, turned out to be very close to experimentally determined ones, which proves a rather high prognostic ability of the applied calculation method. The threshold concentration in soil of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen according to the water-migration indicator of harmfulness turned out to be the lowest compared to the threshold concentrations according to the translocation (0.2 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg and 0.12 mg/kg, respectively), air-migration (0.05 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively) and general sanitary (0.2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and in the range 0.12-0.6 mg/kg, respectively) indicators of harmfulness. Therefore, the leading link of studied substance migration in the environment is the «soil – groundwater» system. Conclusions. The MPC of amicarbazone, bicyclopyrone and pydiflumetofen in soil is scientifically justified at the level of 0.02 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.06 mg/kg, respectively, according to the limiting water-migration indicator of harmfulness. Based on the studied substances in the recommended consumption rates and frequency of treatments the usage of plant protection products in the cultivation of agricultural crops will not lead to dangerous to human health contamination of groundwater, agricultural raw materials and atmospheric air, it will not cause a violation of the processes of self-cleaning of soil from nitrogen-containing organic substances in real soil-climatic conditions in Ukraine.

Evaluation of soil pesticide leaching to groundwater using undisturbed lysimeter: development of the pesticide groundwater leaching scoring system (PLS).

Groundwater pesticide safety management is essential for providing consistently safe water for humans, but such management is limited globally. In this study, we developed an accurate and convenient exposure assessment method for the safety management of pesticides in groundwater by conducting a lysimeter experiment to evaluate the leaching of 11 pesticides into groundwater. During the experimental period, flutoalanil and oxadiazon had the highest cumulative leaching amounts, 603.7 and 83.5ng, respectively. Comparative analysis of existing groundwater exposure prediction indices, including the GUS, LEACH, modified LEACH, Hornsby index, and GLI showed no correlations with the measured data (p > 0.05). To enhance the accuracy of the assessment method, we used lysimeter data and principal component analysis to determine the main factors affecting groundwater leaching, and developed the "pesticide groundwater leaching scoring system" (PLS). The soil and water half-life, which had the greatest positive impact on groundwater leaching, was set as a 10-point indicator, whereas log P was set as a 1-point indicator. In contrast, solubility in water was determined as a 5-point indicator, and organic carbon partition coefficient and vapor pressure were determined as 2.5-point indicators owing to their negative relationship. The correlation coefficient was 0.670, indicating a significant correlation with the lysimeter data (p < 0.05). Using our scoring system, we ranked 376 pesticides. As an exposure assessment method developed using actual data, the PLS is expected to be applicable to groundwater safety management.

Soil pesticides pollution detection and specific recognition using electronic nose

The detection of pesticides in soil has been widely studied. However, it is difficult to realize large-scale in-situ detection with current methods. In this paper, we proposed distributed soil pesticides detection and specific recognition framework and verified the feasibility of using electronic nose as the detector of membrane interface probe to detect pesticides in soil. Six brands of pesticides in three types and healthy soil were specifically identified. Furthermore, semi quantitative calculation of pesticides was realized to provide decision-making basis for staff. To minimize the computing resource and energy consumption, the data-driven method was used to determine the best sensor array in the pre design stage of the whole frame. The experiment results show that the proposed method can quickly and effectively detect soil pollution and accurately analyze various pesticides in the soil.

Sorption and release of the pesticides oxyfluorfen and boscalid in digestate from olive pomace and in digestate-amended soil

PurposeThe decline in organic matter content in many agricultural soils results in a dramatic decrease in their ability to retain xenobiotics. Due to its carbon-rich nature and sorptive behaviour, digestate used as soil amendment can counteract this trend. This study investigated the sorption efficiency of the herbicide oxyfluorfen and the fungicide boscalid by a digestate from olive pomace only, and by a loamy calcareous agricultural soil before and after its amendment with 2 and 5% (w/w) digestate.MethodsTo investigate the surface micromorphology and the functional groups of the digestate, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed, respectively. Adsorption kinetics and adsorption/desorption isotherms of the compounds on the digestate and the soil were performed. Adsorption data were described using the Henry, Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin equations.ResultsBoth oxyfluorfen and boscalid reached the steady state on both substrates in approximately 2 h according to a pseudo-second order model, thus denoting a prevalent chemisorptive interaction. The Freundlich model was generally the best fit for both molecules on any substrate. The KFads values for oxyfluorfen on the digestate, soil, soil + 2% digestate, and soil + 5% digestate were, respectively, 7158, 19, 60 and 170 L kg−1, while for boscalid, in the same order, they were 3700, 11, 37 and 31 L kg−1, at a temperature of 20 °C. The desorption of both compounds from the non-amended and amended soil and, especially, from the digestate was quite slow and incomplete, indicating the occurrence of a hysteretic process. Highly significant correlations were found for both molecules between the adsorption and desorption parameters of all adsorbents and their organic carbon content.ConclusionThis study confirms the prominent role of organic matter in the retention/release of pesticides in soil. It is expected that the addition of digestate to soil can reduce the risk of transport of toxic compounds in natural waters and/or limit their uptake in edible plant organs.

Widespread contamination of soils and vegetation with current use pesticide residues along altitudinal gradients in a European Alpine valley

Pesticides are transferred outside of cropland and can affect animals and plants. Here we investigated the distribution of 97 current use pesticides in soil and vegetation as central exposure matrices of insects. Sampling was conducted on 53 sites along eleven altitudinal transects in the Vinschgau valley (South Tyrol, Italy), in Europe’s largest apple growing area. A total of 27 pesticides (10 insecticides, 11 fungicides and 6 herbicides) were detected, originating mostly from apple orchards. Residue numbers and concentrations decreased with altitude and distance to orchards, but were even detected at the highest sites. Predictive, detection-based mapping indicates that pesticide mixtures can occur anywhere from the valley floor to mountain peaks. This study demonstrates widespread pesticide contamination of Alpine environments, creating contaminated landscapes. As residue mixtures have been detected in remote alpine ecosystems and conservation areas, we call for a reduction of pesticide use to prevent further contamination and loss of biodiversity.

Pesticides in soil, groundwater and food in Latin America as part of one health.

We here report of a conference about "Pesticides in Soil, Groundwater and Food in Latin America as part of One Health" that took place at the "IV Seminario Internacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (SISA)" in Varadero, Cuba, 8-12 May 2023. Researchers of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico) and Switzerland (workshop initiator) held presentations about occurrence and effects of pesticides on the environment, human health, the replacement of highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) by agroecological alternatives and the agri-food value chain. In a subsequent round table discussion, the presenters identified deficits, needs, interests and opportunities. According to them, the lack of awareness of pesticide use affects the health and safety of workers applying the chemicals. Despite Latin America representing the main agricultural area in the world with a very intense pesticide use, monitoring data of pesticides in soil, surface and groundwaters, food, as well as in humans are missing. Risks of pesticides to humans should be assessed so that authorities can withdraw or limit within "short time" the access to corresponding formulations on the market. Also, communication is not state of the art and should be improved as, e.g. the teaching of workers and farmers, how to correctly use and apply pesticides or the briefing of decision makers. Pollinators suffer from multiple stressors not the least due to pesticides, and alternatives are badly needed. On the technical side, the different analytical methods to determine residues of active ingredients and transformation products in matrices of concern should be harmonized among laboratories.Seven future actions and goals were identified to overcome the above deficits. Next steps after the publishing of this conference report are to harmonize and complete the information status of the presenters by exchanging the results/data already present. Therefore, a platform of interaction to address issues described above and to enhance collaboration shall be created. Samples of different matrices shall be exchanged to harmonize the chemical analysis and establish interlaboratory comparisons. Such activities might be facilitated by joining international associations or organizations, where researchers can offer their expertise, or by forming a new pesticide network for Central and South America that could present tailored projects to national and international organizations and funding agencies.

Effects of Combined Stress of High Density Polyethylene Microplastics and Chlorimuron-ethyl on Soybean Growth and Rhizosphere Bacterial Community

With the vigorous development of agriculture in China， plastic mulch film and pesticides are widely used in agricultural production. However， the accumulation of microplastics （formed by the degradation of plastic mulch film） and pesticides in soil has also caused many environmental problems. At present， the environmental biological effects of microplastics or pesticides have been reported， but there are few studies on the combined effects on crop growth and the rhizosphere soil bacterial community. Therefore， in this study， the high density polyethylene microplastics （HDPE， 500 mesh） were designed to be co-treated with sulfonylurea herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl to study their effects on soybean growth. In addition， the effects of the combined stress of HDPE and chlorimuron-ethyl on soybean rhizosphere soil bacterial community diversity， structure composition， microbial community network， and soil function were investigated using high-throughput sequencing technology， interaction network， and PICRUSt2 function analysis to clarify the combined toxicity of HDPE and chlorimuron-ethyl to soybean. The results showed that the half-life of chlorimuron-ethyl in soil was prolonged by the 1% HDPE treatment （from 11.5 d to 14.3 d）， and the combined stress of HDPE and chlorimuron-ethyl had more obvious inhibition effects on soybean growth than that of the single pollutant or control. The HiSeq 2 500 sequencing showed that the rhizosphere bacterial community of soybean was composed of 20 phyla and 312 genera under combined stress， the number of phyla and genera was significantly less than that of the control and single pollutant treatment， and the relative abundances of bacteria with potential biological control and plant growth-promoting characteristics （such as Nocardioides and Sphingomonas） were reduced. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the combined stress significantly reduced the richness and diversity of the soybean rhizosphere bacterial community， and Beta diversity analysis showed that the combined stress significantly changed the structure of the bacterial community. The dominant flora of the rhizosphere bacterial community were regulated， and the abundances of secondary functional layers such as amino acid metabolism， energy metabolism， and lipid metabolism were reduced under combined stress by the analysis of LEfSe and PICRUSt2. It was inferred from the network analysis that the combined stress of HDPE and chlorimuron-ethyl reduced the total number of connections and network density of soil bacteria， simplified the network structure， and changed the important flora species to maintain the stability of the network. The results above indicated that the combined stress of HDPE and chlorimuron-ethyl significantly affected the growth of soybean and changed the rhizosphere bacterial community structure， soil function， and network structure. Compared with that of the single pollutant treatment， the potential risk of combined stress was greater. The results of this study can provide guidance for evaluating the ecological risks of polyethylene microplastics and chlorimuron-ethyl and for the remediation of contaminated soil.

Understanding the Physicochemical Dynamics of Pesticides: Implications for Environmental Management and Sustainable Agriculture

Pesticides play a crucial role in modern agricultural practices, yet their extensive use poses significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning soil and water quality. This abstract offers a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical behavior of pesticides in soil and water systems, essential for effective pesticide management and environmental protection. Factors influencing pesticide fate and transport, including soil properties, pesticide characteristics, environmental conditions, and management practices, are meticulously examined. Key physicochemical processes such as sorption, degradation, volatilization, and leaching govern pesticide behavior, profoundly impacting their persistence and potential environmental risks. Strategies for minimizing pesticide contamination and promoting sustainable agriculture are highlighted, underscoring the importance of integrated pest management and conservation practices. Through collaborative efforts and informed decision-making, we can mitigate pesticide pollution, preserve natural resources, and safeguard ecosystem health.

MIL-53/UiO-66/PAN beads as a novel adsorbent for simultaneous extraction of trace pesticides in wheat, wheat flour and field soil followed by GC-MS analysis

To develop a facile, efficient and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of multiple pesticides in wheat, wheat flour and field soil, a novel MIL-53/UiO-66/PAN bead was successfully prepared and applied as adsorbent in a simplified dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) followed by GC-MS analysis. Moreover, the MIL-53/UiO-66/PAN bead could be directly separated owing to its scale of millimeter, which overcome the shortcomings of traditional d-SPE. After optimization of key factors by Response Surface Methodology, the proposed method exhibited excellent linearity (R2> 0.99) and detection limits of 0.17-1.21µg/L. Furthermore, recoveries were in range of 77.8-98.3%, with RSDs lower than 9.2%. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to the determination of pesticides in wheat, wheat flour and soil from wheat field, where Triadimefon was detected in wheat and soil samples at a concentration of 28.7 and 36.9µg/kg, respectively. The results demonstrated that the MIL-53/UiO-66/PAN-based d-SPE-GC-MS method provided a more convenient strategy for efficient extraction and determination of pesticides in wheat, wheat flour and field soil.

Unveiling the Aftermath: Exploring Residue Profiles of Insecticides, Herbicides, and Fungicides in Rice Straw, Soils, and Air Post-Mixed Pesticide-Contaminated Biomass Burning.

This study delved into the impact of open biomass burning on the distribution of pesticide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residues across soil, rice straw, total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), and aerosols. A combination of herbicides atrazine (ATZ) and diuron (DIU), fungicide carbendazim (CBD), and insecticide chlorpyriphos (CPF) was applied to biomass before burning. Post-burning, the primary soil pesticide shifted from propyzamide (67.6%) to chlorpyriphos (94.8%). Raw straw biomass retained residues from all pesticide groups, with chlorpyriphos notably dominating (79.7%). Ash residue analysis unveiled significant alterations, with elevated concentrations of chlorpyriphos and terbuthylazine, alongside the emergence of atrazine-desethyl and triadimenol. Pre-burning TSP analysis identified 15 pesticides, with linuron as the primary compound (51.8%). Post-burning, all 21 pesticides were detected, showing significant increases in metobromuron, atrazine-desethyl, and cyanazine concentrations. PM10 composition mirrored TSP but exhibited additional compounds and heightened concentrations, particularly for atrazine, linuron, and cyanazine. Aerosol analysis post-burning indicated a substantial 39.2-fold increase in atrazine concentration, accompanied by the presence of sebuthylazine, formothion, and propyzamide. Carcinogenic PAHs exhibited noteworthy post-burning increases, contributing around 90.1 and 86.9% of all detected PAHs in TSP and PM10, respectively. These insights advance understanding of pesticide dynamics in burning processes, crucial for implementing sustainable agricultural practices and safeguarding environmental and human health.

Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon core-double shell nanotubes as a novel and efficient nanosorbent for ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction of heterocyclic pesticides from environmental soil and water samples.

Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon core-double shell nanotubes (Fe3O4@N-C C-DSNTs) were successfully synthesized and applied as a novel nanosorbent in ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction (UA-DMSPE) of tribenuron-methyl, fenpyroximate, and iprodione. Subsequently, corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry (CD-IMS) was employed for the detection of the extracted analytes. Effective parameters on theextraction recovery percentage (ER%) were systematically investigated and optimized. Under optimal conditions, UA-DMSPE-CD-IMS demonstrated remarkable linearity in different ranges within 1.0 - 700 ng mL-1 with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.993, repeatability values below 6.9%, limits of detection ranging from 0.30 to 0.90 ng mL-1, high preconcentration factors (418 - 435), and ER%values (83 - 87%). The potential of the proposed method was further demonstrated by effectively determining the targeted pesticides in various environmental soil and water samples, exhibiting relative recoveries in the range 92.1 - 102%.

Implementation of simple and effective fine droplet formation-based spray-assisted liquid phase microextraction for the simultaneous determination of twenty-nine endocrine disruptor compounds and pesticides in rock, soil, water, moss, and feces samples from antarctica using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study established the simultaneous determination of the selected endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pesticides in rock, soil, water, moss, and feces samples collected from the Antarctic region. The spray-assisted droplet formation-based liquid phase microextraction (SADF-LPME) coupled to GC–MS system was developed and validated for the screening and monitoring of 29 selected EDCs and pesticides. Binary solvent system, 1:1 (v/v) dichlormethane: 1,2-dichloroethane mixture was employed as an extraction solvent and sprayed onto sample or standard solutions using a straightforward and practical spray apparatus. The factors affecting the extraction process such as extraction solvent type and ratio, extraction solvent volume (spray repetition), vortexing period, and sample pH were properly optimized. Analytical figures of the merit of the method were recorded under the optimal extraction/chromatographic conditions. The LOD, LOQ, and enhancement factor were in the range of 1.0 to 6.6 ng/g, 3.2 to 22.1 ng/g, and 3.7 to 158.9, respectively. The method demonstrated a good linear working range for all the selected analytes with proper coefficients of determination. The usability and reliability of the microextraction strategy was confirmed using seawater, moss, and soil samples, and the %recoveries were within an acceptable range (> 70%) for all examined samples. The environmental samples collected from the Horseshoe and Faure Islands of the Antarctica region were analyzed to assess the potential pollution of EDCs and pesticides. This method has the potential to be employed for the analysis of EDCs in routine analytical laboratories and for controlling and screening the organic pollutant content of different environmental samples.

Assessment of degradation transformations of agricultural lands

The use of soil for the production of crop products leads to changes in the natural properties of soils and their natural state. When various situations arise, soil properties can change in different forms and with unequal degrees of severity; a process that worsens quantitative and qualitative properties is defined as soil degradation. The significant role of soil in people’s lives should serve as an incentive for its rational use and to prevent the occurrence of degradation transformations leading to a decrease in its environmental and production functions. The purpose of the research is to assess soil contamination of agricultural lands in the Samara region with insecto-acaricides and herbicides. Objectives: - to establish the average and maximum content of residual quantities of pesticides in soils; - determine the area of contamination with residual quantities of pesticides. The research was carried out in 7 districts (Bezenchuksky, Syzransky, Stavropolsky, Volzhsky, Privolzhsky, Bolshechernigovsky, Elkhovsky) of the Samara region in 2020-2022. To assess soil contamination with residual amounts of pesticides, soil samples were taken in spring and autumn to the depth of the arable layer. In selected soil samples, the residual amount of insectoacaricides (DDT, HCH, HCB, metaphos) and herbicides (prometrin, atrazine, simazine, 2.4-D, trifluralin, THAN, dalapon) was determined. The analysis of contamination of agricultural land in the study region showed that the content of controlled pesticides in soils depended on both the period of soil sampling and the year of research.

Effect of particles size on adsorption isotherm of chlorantraniliprole, dinotefuran, bispyribac-sodium, and metribuzin into sandy loam soil

The efficiency of different sorbents (bulk soil, sand, silt, clay and humic acid-HA) for chlorantraniliprole (CAP), dinotefuran (DNF), bispyribac-sodium (BPS), and metribuzin (MBZ) adsorption was described and compared. The adsorption of CAP, DNF, BPS and MBZ were significantly greater on clay and HA fractions than the bulk soils. Also, the tested pesticides sorption was greater on HA fraction compared to clay fraction except in the case of BPS. The mass unit of bulk soil adsorbed of CAP, DNF, BPS and MBZ approximately 15, 20, 10 and 5 % of the same of HA and 40, 60, 95 and 35 % of that of clay fraction, respectively. The actual amounts adsorbed on bulk soil ranged from (88.63 to 93.93 %) of the calculated amounts adsorbed on all soil components indicating high efficiency of the tested soils to adsorb tested pesticides. All adsorption data fitted well to the linear Freundlich equation. The adsorption of tested pesticides in soil and their different constituents is S-type according to 1/n (except some cases).

PYROLYSIS OF SOYBEAN WASTE: A ROUTE TO BIOCARBON FOR PESTICIDES CAPTURE

Background: This study explores the potential use of biomass residues from soybean pressing via static pyrolysis to produce carbonaceous materials for pesticide adsorption. It emphasizes concerns regarding the environmental impact of agroindustrial waste and the persistent nature of pesticides in soil and water systems. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of biochar obtained from soybean waste in adsorbing pesticides. Specifically, to analyze the gas products generated during pyrolysis and characterize the obtained carbonaceous material for its adsorption capabilities. Methods: Soybean residue underwent static pyrolysis at various temperatures and durations. Gas analysis utilizing FTIR spectroscopy identified the gaseous products generated during the pyrolysis process. The obtained biochar underwent successive washes and characterization through FTIR spectra comparison with commercial activated carbon. Through absorption assays, using UV-VIS spectroscopy, investigations were conducted on the solid biocarbon fractions to evaluate their capacity for absorbing pesticides. Results: Gas Analysis: The study revealed the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and highlighted the prevalence of mono-carbon compounds with increased temperature and pyrolysis time. The analysis demonstrated consistent carbon mass percentages across different reaction conditions. Characterization of Biochar: Comparison with activated carbon indicated structural similarities with heightened intensity in certain bands, suggesting the presence of incomplete cellulose cracking in the obtained biochar. Regarding the Chlorothalonil, Atrazine and DIcamba remotion, notably, the concentration of Chlorothalonil in a 7:3 water: acetonitrile solution decreases by 77 % through adsorption on the carbons. Discussion: The investigation examined the adsorption efficiency of the biochar for Chlorothalonil, Atrazine, and Dicamba from aqueous solutions. Chlorothalonil exhibited substantial retention by the biochar, while Atrazine showed comparatively lower adsorption effectiveness. Remarkably, Dicamba did not demonstrate retention by either the biochar or activated carbon. Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of pyrolyzed soybean waste for pesticide adsorption, particularly highlighting Chlorothalonil's strong affinity with the carbonaceous structure. Further research is needed to optimize adsorption properties and explores potential enhancements of these materials through additional treatment methods, offering promising avenues for environmental remediation.

Harmonizing pesticides environmental quality standards: A fate-pathway perspective

Regulatory agencies worldwide set pesticide environmental quality standards, which are proposed independently in each dependent environmental media rather than across the complete fate route. Thus, lacking the fate-pathway perspective in defining pesticide environmental quality standards might cause undesirable pesticide residue from the upper compartment (e.g., soil) to the lower compartment (e.g., water). This study aimed to harmonize the self-consistency of pesticide environmental quality standards across environmental media via the fate-pathway analysis. The introduced qualitative and quantitative rules defined environmental quality standards of pesticides in six major environmental scenarios in the soil and water system based on related regulatory objectives. Fate factors simulated via USEtox were used to create a preliminary quantitative link between theoretical maximum legal masses of pesticides across environmental compartments. Using chlorpyrifos and 2,4-D as examples, their standard values were comparatively assessed in selected environmental media in China and the United States. According to the investigative findings, missing the respective environmental quality standards of pesticides in the agricultural soil could significantly influence the implementation of those in freshwater. Taking a fate-pathway perspective, the self-consistency test highlighted that defining pesticide environmental quality standards for freshwater was the most challenging task, as the freshwater compartment typically comprises multiple lower environmental compartments with diverse regulatory objectives. Overall, this theoretical study has the potential to illuminate the harmonization of pesticide environmental quality standards throughout the entire environmental fate pathway, ultimately leading to improved regulatory efficiency and communication. Future research should focus on risk-based model implementation, regulatory response evaluation, and legal limit interpretation to better integrate environmental pesticide management under a variety of regulatory goals.

Distribution, Transfer, and Health Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Soil and Water of the Huangshui River Basin.

The potential negative impacts of organochlorine pesticides on the environment and human health continue to receive attention. In order to study the spatial distribution characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in the inland alpine region, researchers collected soil and water samples in the Huangshui River Basin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and tested them for organochlorine pesticide residues represented by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorohexane (HCH). The study identified the sources of OCPs by component analysis. We also constructed the LEVEL III model, applicable to the Huangshui River Basin, and used it to study the migration patterns of OCPs in various environmental media. OCPs were detected at low levels in the study area environment. The results of the OCPs source analysis show that there are both historical residuals and new sources in the region. Residual DDTs may originate from the mixture of technical DDTs and dicofol, and HCHs may originate from lindane or technical HCH. DDTs are mainly stored in soil, the input and output pathways are mainly atmospheric advection input and output, and its transport behavior in the environment is mainly air-soil exchange. Carcinogens in the study area pose little threat to people exposed to contaminated soil and contaminated water, but the cancer risk to children is greater than to adults. This study is helpful to managers of regional pesticide management and control.