Assessment of Metalaxyl migration through vadose zone of alluvial sandy soil using column experiment and HYDRUS numerical modeling

Contemporary research on pesticides/fungicides as potential sources of groundwater contamination, including their migration pathways, especially in the Western Bengal basin (WBB), is scarce. The present intends to study vulnerability towards pollution from metalaxyl. Metalaxyl a fungicide added anthropogenically sandy soil WBB for cultivation crops like tomatoes, potatoes and mustard. explores mechanics metalaxyl adsorption its associated system. Chemical analyses show high concentrations within (472.9 μg/L, maximum amount) area (Nadia district WBB). ubiquity score (4.6) depicts that it very much prone leach through soils underlying results column leaching experiments congruence findings numerical modelling using HYDRUS software confirm fact. adsorptive resilience studied insignificant (soils North Chandmari (S1) =0.1087 mg/g, Ghoragacha (S2) =0.21 Khaldarpara (S3) =1.771 mg/g). However, presence excess iron concentration may enhance capacity toward Metalaxyl, thereby limiting zone saturation.