The recovery of DDT, kepone, and permethrin added to soil and sediment suspensions incubated under controlled redox potential and pH conditions

The major objective of this work was to examine the effects of pH and redox potential on the degradation of three pesticides. Treatment effects on degradation rates, where noted, should be considered relative; the stirred suspensions at 28 degree C may favor more rapid transformations than would occur in residues in a typical quiescent soil or sediment-water system. This study demonstrated that pH and oxidation-reduction conditions do affect the persistence of pesticide compounds and that different compounds may respond differently to a given physicochemical environment. The ranges of physicochemical (pH and redox potential) parameters studied are commonly encountered in soils, sediments, and surface water that may receive pesticide residues. Also, temporary flooding of soil or certain dredged material disposal methods can alter the physicochemical properties of contaminated soils or sediments affecting the persistence and possibly the mobility of pesticide residues.