Atrazine remediation in wetland microcosms.

TitleAtrazine remediation in wetland microcosms.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsRunes, HB, Bottomley, PJ, Lerch, RN, Jenkins, JJ
JournalEnviron Toxicol Chem
Volume20
Issue5
Pagination1059-66
Date Published2001 May
ISSN0730-7268
KeywordsAtrazine, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Herbicides, Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
Abstract

Laboratory wetland microcosms were used to study treatment of atrazine in irrigation runoff by a field-scale-constructed wetland under controlled conditions. Three experiments, in which 1 ppm atrazine was added to the water column of three wetland, one soil control, and one water control microcosm, were conducted. Atrazine dissipation from the water column and degradate formation (deethylatrazine [DEA]; deisopropylatrazine [DIA]; and hydroxyatrazine [HA]) were monitored. Atrazine dissipation from the water column of wetland microcosms was biphasic. Less than 12% of the atrazine applied to wetland microcosms remained in the water column on day 56. Atrazine degradates were observed in water and sediment, with HA the predominant degradate. Analysis of day 56 sediment samples indicated that a significant portion of the initial application was detected as the parent compound and HA. Most probable number (MPN) assays demonstrated that atrazine degrader populations were small in wetland sediment. Wetland microcosms were able to reduce atrazine concentration in the water column via sorption and degradation. Based on results from this study, it is hypothesized that plant uptake contributed to atrazine dissipation from the water column.

Alternate JournalEnviron. Toxicol. Chem.
PubMed ID11337869