title: Degradation of isoproturon and bentazone in peat- and compost-based biomixtures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The composition and properties of a biomixture used in a biobed are decisive for pesticide sorption and degradation. This study was performed to investigate the capability of compost-based substrates in mixtures with citrus peel and vine branch straw and peat-based substrates in mixtures with soil and vine branch straw at different levels in order to degrade isoproturon and bentazone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dissipation and mineralisation rates of both pesticides were determined, and metabolic activity was followed as respiration. Compost-based substrates showed faster pesticide dissipation in the presence of lignocellulosic materials, as in garden compost and vine branch straw. The increasing content of vine branch straw in peat-based substrates does not seem to affect dissipation of the parent compounds. Low mineralisation rate was observed in all treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher pesticide degradation was observed in the lignocellulosic substrates, probably because of the development of lignin-degrading microorganisms which have shown to be robust and are able to degrade recalcitrant pesticides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. l.coppola@univpm.it
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Maria Del
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pilar Castillo
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vischetti
mesh_terms: D001581:Benzothiadiazines / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D006540:Herbicides; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C028904:isoproturon; C002003:bentazone