Is organic matter alone sufficient to predict isoproturon sorption in calcareous soils?

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2012-08, Vol.432, p.251-256
• Main Authors: El Arfaoui, Achouak, Sayen, Stéphanie, Paris, Michaël, Keziou, Amor, Couderchet, Michel, Guillon, Emmanuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil; Calcareous soil; Chemical Sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Empirical model; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Isoproturon; Pesticide; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; Sorption
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.05.066

Eleven soils collected from Champagne-Ardenne area (France) were used to investigate isoproturon sorption in laboratory conditions. Our results identified the organic matter (OM) and the ratio of calcite content to OM content (Rt) as the main two parameters governing isoproturon retention in soils. While organic matter favored pesticide sorption, calcite had an antagonistic effect since it limited isoproturon retention. The Rt ratio of calcite content to organic matter content in soils appeared to be a parameter that should be considered in predictive models in addition to OM in regions presenting calcareous soils. Adsorption of isoproturon as a function of Rt and OM was successfully described through a simple empirical model. ► Isoproturon adsorption was studied on eleven soils. ► OM and calcite contents have an antagonistic effect towards pesticide retention. ► Rt (calcite/OM) and OM are the main parameters governing isoproturon adsorption. ► A simple empirical model function of OM and Rt describes isoproturon adsorption.