Characterization of propargyl bromide transformation in soil.

Propargyl bromide is being investigated for its potential as a soil fumigant. Characterization of the fate of propargyl bromide in soil is important in determining both efficacy and the threat of environmental contamination. These experiments investigated some of the factors affecting the rate of propargyl bromide degradation in soil and quantified some of the products formed as a result of propargyl bromide degradation in four soils of differing composition and at three initial propargyl bromide concentrations. In all soils at all initial propargyl bromide concentrations, equimolar formation of Br- was observed during propargyl bromide degradation, but little propargyl alcohol (product of hydrolysis) was formed. The apparent first-order degradation coefficient (k) increased with decreasing initial propargyl bromide concentration in all soils, but the mass degraded per unit time increased with increasing propargyl bromide concentration. The rate of propargyl bromide degradation increased with increasing soil organic matter content, and the k value was correlated to the organic carbon content of the soil (correlation coefficient > 0.97 for all concentrations). Repeated application of propargyl bromide did not increase the rate of propargyl bromide degradation in soil. Addition of Br- did not affect the rate of propargyl bromide transformation in soil, so accumulation of Br- in the soil is not expected to impede propargyl bromide degradation.