Phytotoxin sorption to clay minerals

Abstract Background Phytotoxins of various classes and origin are often found in their cationic form the soil environment thus, overall behavior may be strongly affected by all geosorbents presenting cation exchange capacity (CEC). In addition to organic carbon (SOC), clays exhibit great potential as sorbents for chemicals. Therefore, 52 compounds major phytotoxin alkaloids, terpenoids steroids were investigated with regard sorption clay minerals kaolinite (low CEC) montmorillonite (high means continuous flow column experiments a high-throughput alternative traditional batch experiments. Results total, coefficients log D [L kg ?1 ] quantifiable 26 phytotoxins on (log > 0.1) 33 0.5). They ranged from 0.14 ± 0.09 pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine 3.05 0.03 indole brucine montmorillonite. Although maximum sorbed concentrations lay well below CEC both minerals, non-linearity was observed some cases where little 0.1% sites occupied. Contrary expectations, could not wholly explained saturation available sites; protonated tertiary amines aromatic moieties, cooperative seemingly took place results indicated significant increase affinities within very limited concentration range. Comparing SOC, notable differences preferences sorbates between without moieties (e.g., isoquinoline versus alkaloids) N-heterocycles N-heteroaromatics particular strychnine gramine; alkaloids). Conclusions Overall, seems result interplay charge location sorbent structural features sorbates. To confirm tendencies towards certain phytotoxins, further studies higher needed. Nevertheless, obtained indicate that high proportion soils attributed minerals. Thus, possess ability decrease total environmental mobility.