Analytical Solution Describing Pesticide Volatilization from Soil Affected by a Change in Surface Condition

• Published in: Journal of environmental quality 2009-01, Vol.38 (1), p.259-267
• Main Author: Yates, S.R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Emissions; environmental fate; environmental models; fumigants; Fumigation; gas emissions; mathematical models; Models, Chemical; Pesticide application; Pesticides; Pesticides - chemistry; simulation models; soil chemical properties; Soil degradation; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Soils; Time Factors; Volatilization
• ISSN: 0047-2425; 1537-2537
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq2008.0059

An analytical solution describing the fate and transport of pesticides applied to soils has been developed. Two pesticide application methods can be simulated: point-source applications, such as idealized shank or a hot-gas injection method, and a more realistic shank-source application method that includes a vertical pesticide distribution in the soil domain due to a soil fracture caused by a shank. The solutions allow determination of the volatilization rate and other information that could be important for understanding fumigant movement and in the development of regulatory permitting conditions. The solutions can be used to characterize differences in emissions relative to changes in the soil degradation rate, surface barrier conditions, application depth, and soil packing. In some cases, simple algebraic expressions are provided that can be used to obtain the total emissions and total soil degradation. The solutions provide a consistent methodology for determining the total emissions and can be used with other information, such as field and laboratory experimental data, to support the development of fumigant regulations. The uses of the models are illustrated by several examples.