Dissipation of pesticides applied to the soil

Abstract

Dissipation of pesticide applied to the soil is a function of two fundamental processes: dispersion and degradation. Dispersion is influenced by a combination of transfer processes (volatilization, leaching, water runoff, plant absorption) whereas degradation is characterised by chemical reactions (photodecomposition, hydrolysis...) or biochemical reactions involving soil microorganisms. In addition, the xenobiotic compound and its degradation products may be subjected to sorption processes and become incorporated within residues that are referred to as non extractable. In such a case the compounds are not detectable by conventional analytical methods.