title: Atrazine fate and transport within the coastal zone in southeastern Puerto Rico.
abstract: Agrichemical transport to coastal waters may have adverse ecological impact. This work examined atrazine fate and transport in a field adjacent to Puerto Rico's Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The herbicide's use was linked to residue detection in shallow groundwater and movement toward the estuary; however, data indicated that transport via this pathway was small. In contrast, surface runoff as tropical storm systems moved through the area appeared to have high potential for atrazine transport. In this case, transport to the estuary was limited by runoff event timing relative to atrazine application and very rapid atrazine dissipation (DT(50)=1-3 days) in field soil. Soil incubation studies showed that accelerated degradation conditions had developed in the field due to repeated atrazine treatment. To improve weed management, atrazine replacement with other herbicide(s) is recommended. Use of products that have greater soil persistence may increase runoff risk.
authors: USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Laboratory, Tifton, GA 31793, USA. Tom.Potter@ars.usda.gov
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Potter
authors: David D
authors: DD
authors: Bosch
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Dieppa
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Whitall
authors: Timothy C
authors: TC
authors: Strickland
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001280:Atrazine / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001280:Atrazine