Assessment of phenylurea herbicides sorption on various Mediterranean soils affected by irrigation with wastewater.

The retention values of two herbicides, chlorotoluron and isoproturon, in five Mediterranean soils were assessed by two different approaches, a dynamic method, using a batch technique (BT) and a static method, using a soil saturated paste (SP). The SP method led in all cases to lower herbicide sorption when compared with BT, although pesticide distribution constants from both methods were linearly related for the set of used soils (R(2)⩾0.99) showing that both methods similarly reflected the behaviour of the different soils. Low-quality water, evaluated by employing recycled urban wastewater, did not modify herbicide sorption when compared with high quality water, in any soil and with any method.

Organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids used to remove non ionic pesticides.

The preparation and characterization of organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids with dodecylsulfate and sebacate as interlayer anion were studied in detail. The aim of the modification of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was to change the hydrophilic character of the interlayer to hydrophobic to improve the ability of the nanohybrids to adsorb non-ionic pesticides such as alachlor and metolachlor from water. Adsorption tests were conducted on organo/LDHs using variable pH values, contact times and initial pesticide concentrations (adsorption isotherms) in order to identify the optimum conditions for the intended purpose. Adsorbents and adsorption products were characterized several physicochemical techniques. The adsorption test showed that a noticeable increase of the adsorption of the non-ionic herbicides was produced. Based on the results, the organo/LDHs could be good adsorbents to remove alachlor and metolachlor from water. Different organo/LDHs complexes were prepared by a mechanical mixture and by adsorption. The results show that HTSEB-based complex displays controlled release properties that reduce metolachlor leaching in soil columns compared to a technical product and the other formulations. The release was dependent on the nature of the adsorbent used to prepare the complexes. Thus, it can be concluded that organo/LDHs might act as suitable supports for the design of pesticide slow release formulations with the aim of reducing the adverse effects derived from rapid transport losses of the chemical once applied to soils.