Pesticide biodegradation in the subsurface terrestrial environment and impact on groundwater pollution
Harper, S.S.; Moorman, T.B.; Locke, M.A.
Developments in Industrial Microbiology 31: 65-73
1990
Accession: 002183005
Metribuzin was used to demonstrate the kinetics and factors limiting pesticide biodegradation. Reduced rates of degradation were found immediately below the surface soil indicating that some pesticides may be very persistent in deeper vadose zone materials increasing their potential for movement to groundwater. Degradation of metribuzin was often directly correlated to the numbers and types of microorganisms present in the soil, but redox potential, nutrient supply, and sorption of both pesticides and microorganisms to soils also controlled biodegradation.