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Soil pH and Metallic Amendment Effects on DDT Conversion to DDE
Author(s) -
Nash Ralph G.,
Harris William G.,
Lewis Cornelius C.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1973.00472425000200030020x
Subject(s) - soil water , amendment , lime , environmental chemistry , chemistry , soil ph , metal , environmental science , soil science , metallurgy , organic chemistry , materials science , political science , law
High soil pH resulted in greater conversion of 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis( p ‐chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) to 1,1‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis( p ‐chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) in both nonamended and MgO‐amended soils. The conversion of DDT continued throughout the experimental time of up to 32 months to a maximum of 15% of total residues as DDE. DDT was converted to DDE in both moist and dry soils above pH 7. The predominant conversion mechanism in moist soils appears to be microbial, whereas chemical conversion appears to be dominant in dry soils. Soils amended with MgO required pH values of near 10 before DDT conversion became significant. CaCO 3 , a dolomitic lime, Fe 2 O 3 , or Al 2 O 3 applied to soils with a wide range of pH values did not enhance DDT conversion to DDE. Laboratory experiments indicate that the liming of soils containing DDT is not a practical means of converting DDT to DDE.