BEHAVIOR OF PHENOXYACETIC ACIDS DURING UNDERGROUND PASSAGE WITH DIFFERENT REDOX ZONES

The behaviour of the three phenoxyacetic acid herbicides 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and MCPA during underground passage and bankfiltration was tested in a model system consisting of laboratory filter columns filled with natural underground materials. Different redox environments were reproduced by operating the filters with natural aerobic and anaerobic groundwater. In the presence of oxygen, biodegradation of the three herbicides started after a lag phase. Under sulfate reducing conditions, no degradation could be observed. To assess the factors that may influence microbial degradation in the anaerobic environment, the concentration of herbicides, the time and the nutrient content were varied, but this did not increase degradation. The maximum retention of the herbicides in the filters was 30%, mainly due to adsorption to the filter material.