Substrate evaluation for biobeds in the degradation of ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate in wastewater from pesticide application in banana

• Published in: Journal of environmental health science and engineering 2021-06, Vol.19 (1), p.193-203
• Main Authors: Domínguez-Rodríguez, Verónica Isidra, Obrador-Olán, José Jesús, Zavala-Cruz, Joel, Baltierra-Trejo, Eduardo, Ramos-Herrera, Sergio, Rosique-Gil, José Edmundo, Adams, Randy Howard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Health; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Ethylene; Pesticides; Quality of Life Research; Research Article; Sugarcane; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Wastewater
• ISSN: 2052-336X; 2052-336X
• DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00595-5

The efficacy of biobeds was evaluated by testing three agricultural residues (sugarcane top, banana stem, and eucalyptus chip) as substrates for the degradation of ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) and ethylene thiourea (ETU) in wastewater from banana spraying. Acrylic columns with a capacity to treat 1 L/ea. of wastewater were used as experimental units. Each unit was filled with different proportions of the test substrate (30%, 50% and 70% v/v) and the difference in volume was made up of equal parts of sugar cane cachasse and Fluvisol soil. Subsequently, the units were contaminated with suspensions of 878 mgL −1 of EBDC, and the dose was repeated periodically. The ETU concentration and leachate toxicity were evaluated every month for six months. The mixtures with 30% sugarcane top and 50% eucalyptus chip gave the best results, with leachable ETU concentrations down to a level protective of the environment, and toxicity down to background levels or nearly so. This was only found in mixtures with a high C:N ratio (20–25), thus, the effectiveness of the biobeds appears to be related to high lignolytic activity. .