Herbicide Residue of 2,4-D,
Abstract
When a herbicide has entered a body of water it begins to dissipate at a rate affected by the: (1) water depth, (2) mean temperature, (3) rate of treatment, and (4) time after treatment. In the case of moving waters, the dissipation rate can also be affected by volume dilution as a function of the surface area to the total area, and the time as a function of the rate of flow. Because of dilution, herbicide residues may be quickly eliminated from water, but residues in the bottom mud may remain for several months or longer depending on the pH of the water, the type of clay and the herbicide used. In addition to dilution, photo, chemical and biological degradation play a large part in herbicide removal. In fact, laboratory studies show that microbial activity is the major factor involved in herbicide degradation. Organic herbicides such as 2, 4-D are relatively nontoxic to animals, and when used properly, cause a minimum of injury to aquatic flora and fauna. Numerous feeding studies show that herbicides, are rapidly excreted in body wastes with little or no signs of accumulation in tissue. It follows that fragmentation of the herbicide molecule through metabolism can actually result in detoxification and the formation of utilizable products. In the case of 2,4-D these end products are CO2, H2O and a chloride or a terminal residue of a more complex molecule. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA067160
Entities
People
- E. O. Gangstad