Degradation of linuron in soils as influenced by different organic amendments and surfactants

A study has been made of the influence of contrasting organic amendments and two surfactants on the rate and pathway of linuron degradation in soil. Degradation of the herbicide and the presence of its metabolites were assessed in unamended and amended soil under non-sterilized and sterilized conditions. The results pointed to an inhibition of degradation by liquid humic amendment and peat, an enhanced microbiological degradation by city refuse compost and an inhibition of microbiological degradation by the surfactants, which at the same time favoured chemical degradation of the herbicide. These results demonstrate that the organic amendments and surfactants modify the rate and pathway of linuron degradation in soil. These modifications could be valuable when using simultaneously organic amendments and pesticides in agricultural practices and when using surfactants in technologies for the prevention of pollution and the recovery of soil polluted by hydrophobic organic compounds.