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Endosulfan Transport: I. Integrative Assessment of Airborne and Waterborne Pathways
Author(s) -
Raupach M.R.,
Briggs P.R.,
Ford P.W.,
Leys J.F.,
Muschal M.,
Cooper B.,
Edge V.E.
Publication year - 2001
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/jeq2001.303714x
Subject(s) - endosulfan , surface runoff , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental chemistry , environmental engineering , atmospheric sciences , pesticide , chemistry , ecology , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering
To reduce endosulfan (C 9 H 6 O 3 Cl 6 S; 6,7,8,9,10,10‐hexachloro‐1,5,5a,6,9,9a‐hexahydro‐6,9‐methano‐2,4,3‐benzodioxathiepin 3‐oxide) contamination in rivers and waterways, it is important to know the relative significances of airborne transport pathways (including spray drift, vapor transport, and dust transport) and waterborne transport pathways (including overland and stream runoff). This work uses an integrated modeling approach to assess the absolute and relative contributions of these pathways to riverine endosulfan concentrations. The modeling framework involves two parts: a set of simple models for each transport pathway, and a model for the physical and chemical processes acting on endosulfan in river water. An averaging process is used to calculate the effects of transport pathways at the regional scale. The results show that spray drift, vapor transport, and runoff are all significant pathways. Dust transport is found to be insignificant. Spray drift and vapor transport both contribute low‐level but nearly continuous inputs to the riverine endosulfan load during spraying season in a large cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)‐growing area, whereas runoff provides occasional but higher inputs. These findings are supported by broad agreement between model predictions and observed typical riverine endosulfan concentrations in two rivers.