HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cliath, M. M. Articles by Spencer, W. F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cliath, M. M. Articles by Spencer, W. F. Agricola Articles by Cliath, M. M. Articles by Spencer, W. F.

Movement and Persistence of Dieldrin and Lindane in Soil as Influenced by Placement and Irrigation¹

ABSTRACT

Redistribution and recovery of dieldrin and lindane were measured in two calcareous, low organic-matter soils with and without irrigation. The insecticides were uniformly mixed within the 0–7.5 or 7.5–15 cm depths by excavating the soil, mixing the soil and insecticide in a cement mixer, and placing the treated soil back in the excavation.

Dieldrin was highly stable and persistent, although volatilization apparently was a significant pathway for loss of dieldrin when the surface soil was wet and dieldrin was placed in the surface layer of soil. Dieldrin apparently did not move significantly with the water and moved very little by diffusion, either upward or downward from its zone of application. No evidence was found that catalytic breakdown of dieldrin occurred in the hot, dry soil.

The movement and the dissipation of lindane from both soils were markedly greater than for dieldrin. Lindane moved downward with water application, especially in the sandy loam soil. Lindane was lost by volatilization and also by degradation, as considerable quantities of gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (PCCH) were found in the soil extracts.

The results suggest that volatilization losses can be reduced or prevented by keeping the soil surface dry or by incorporating or injecting insecticides into the soil.

¹ Contribution from the Southwest Branch, Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, in cooperation with the California Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside, Ca.

² Chemist and Research Soil Scientist, USDA, respectively, P. O. Box 112, Riverside, Ca 92502.

Received for publication March 22, 1971. Accepted for publication May 28, 1971.