title: Mineralization of metsulfuron-methyl in Chinese paddy soils.
abstract: A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the mineralization of metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) in paddy soils in response to soil moisture, temperature and soil properties. The results indicated that MSM mineralization was relatively limited in the paddy soils when soil temperature was low. Only 2.2-6.0% of the applied (14)C mineralized after 84d of incubation at 15 degrees C. The mineralization of MSM was enhanced by increasing soil moisture and soil temperature. Soil moisture would have different impact on the response of MSM mineralization to variation in soil temperature. An increase of 10 degrees C accelerated the average rate of MSM mineralization by 2.3 times at 50% water-holding capacity (WHC) and 1.9 times at 40% WHC. Regression analysis showed that soil pH, organic carbon contents, microbial biomass carbon contents, and silt/clay fractions were the dominant factors affecting MSM mineralization, with pH as the most important factor. The relatively slow mineralization rate of MSM suggested long persistence of this herbicide in soil, thus increasing its potential ecological risk, especially when applied in alkaline soils and in cold areas.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
authors.forename: Haizhen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Jiabao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Jincai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Richeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xuan
mesh_terms: D001190:Arylsulfonates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002681:China; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001190:Arylsulfonates; D006540:Herbicides; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C050296:metsulfuron methyl