Reanalysis of experiments to quantify irreversibility of pesticide sorption-desorption in soil.

Previously published research used an isotope-exchange technique to measure irreversibility of pesticide sorption-desorption in soil. Results indicated significant irreversibility (6-51%) in sorption in five pesticide-soil systems measured over 72 h. Here, we propose a three-site model to reanalyze the experimental data. The model adds a slow but reversible binding on nonequilibrium sorption sites in addition to instantaneously reversible sites and irreversible sites. The model was able to match experimental data very closely, but only if irreversible sorption was assumed to be absent. Observed asymmetry in the binding of (12)C- and (14)C-pesticide was explained on the basis of nonattainment of sorption equilibrium over the study period. Results suggest that irreversible sorption may be less significant than previously considered with important implications for understanding the fate of pesticides applied to soil.