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Diuron Occurrence and Distribution in Soil and Surface and Ground Water Associated with Grass Seed Production
Author(s) -
Field Jennifer A.,
Reed Ralph L.,
Sawyer Thomas E.,
Griffith Steven M.,
Wigington P. J.
Publication year - 2003
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/jeq2003.171
Subject(s) - tributary , riparian zone , surface water , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , surface runoff , groundwater , dry season , riparian forest , agronomy , geology , biology , ecology , geography , environmental engineering , cartography , geotechnical engineering , habitat
Little is known about the occurrence and distribution of the herbicide diuron [3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethyl urea] in soil, ground water, and surface water in areas affected by grass‐seed production. A field study was designed to investigate the occurrence and distribution of diuron and its transformation products at a poorly drained field site located along an intermittent tributary of Lake Creek in the southern Willamette Valley of Oregon. The experimental sites consisted of a field under commercial grass seed production with a cultivated riparian zone and a second site that was part of the same grass seed field but with a noncultivated riparian zone. Diuron and its transformation product DCPMU [3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1‐methylurea] were the only significant residues detected in this study. Concentrations of diuron in surface water declined from a maximum of 28 μg/L immediately following application to low levels that persisted as long as flow was present. Diuron and DCPMU concentrations in shallow ground water (15–36 cm below ground surface) were highest (2–13 μg/L) in the zone immediately adjacent (0.5 m) to Lake Creek and indicated the influence of stream water on shallow ground water near the stream. Diuron and DCPMU detected in soil prior to the second season's application indicated the persistence of diuron and DCPMU from the previous year's application. Surface runoff during the rainy season removes only a very small percentage (<1%) of the applied herbicide. In addition, no evidence was obtained for the downward transport of diuron or its transformation products to deep ground water.