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Title: ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF TRIFLURALIN [ABSTRACT]

Author
item SIMS, GERALD
item HOLT, JOHN - UNIV OF ILLINOIS

Submitted to: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2006
Publication Date: 5/7/2006
Citation: Sims, G.K., Holt, J.F. 2006. Anaerobic degradation of trifluralin [abstract]. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Platform Presentation No. CUP-1117-835394.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Dinitroaniline herbicides, such as trifluralin (2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine) persist in oxic terrestrial environments, yet are rapidly degraded under certain anaerobic conditions. We examined the roles of Fe(II) minerals and trifluralin bioavailability in fate of the herbicide in anoxic soils. Attempts to examine degradation by the RDX-degrading acetogen, Acetobacterium malicum strain HAAP-1, encountered difficulties from abiotic transformation of the herbicide in the culture medium. However, growing cultures of the bacterium clearly transformed the herbicide more rapidly and produced a metabolite not observed in sterile controls. Results confirmed the role of iron minerals in anaerobic degradation of trifluralin in sediments, and demonstrated degradation of the herbicide by an RDX-degrading culture. The findings further demonstrate similarities in environmental fate between dinitroaniline herbicides and certain energetic compounds bearing NO2 moieties.