Dimethoate is an organophosphorus insecticide still used in Croatia and worldwide, with polar structure and high water solubility that make it prone to leaching. This study analyzed how physico-chemical properties of soils affected dimethoate sorption and mobility. For that purpose, five soil samples were collected from three Croatian regions (two coastal and one mountain region). Dimethoate sorption process was analyzed using the batch procedure while its mobility and leaching potential was investigated by column experiment. The results showed that dimethoate sorption can be adequately described by Freundlich model. All isotherms were of L-type with varying degrees of non-linearity, indicating different sorption efficiencies and distribution of sorption sites energies among the soils. Energy distribution was broader in soils richer in organic matter (OM). KF values indicated relatively low sorption efficiency for all soils, with an increase of KF values proportional to OM content. Mechanisms involved in dimethoate sorption and mobility were analyzed by fitting the breakthrough curves (BTCs) with two mathematical models, namely one-site equilibrium (ELM) and two-site nonequilibrium sorption model (NELM). Correlations were quantified by Kendall-Tau test, which revealed the strongest correlation of KF value with OM content, cation exchange capacity and the humic acid content, while correlations with pH, clay content and A465nm/A665nm ratio were negative and insignificant. Based on these findings, a model for prediction of leaching potential was formed. A simplified model for dimethoate sorption/transport was proposed.
Keywords: Column leaching experiments; Dimethoate; Nonequilibrium transport; Soil; Sorption; Two-site model.
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