Fate of Triclosan and Methyltriclosan in soil from biosolids application

Nuria Lozano; Clifford P Rice; Mark Ramirez; Alba Torrents

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2011.09.020

Fate of Triclosan and Methyltriclosan in soil from biosolids application

Environ Pollut. 2012 Jan;160(1):103-8. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.09.020. Epub 2011 Oct 14.

Authors

Nuria Lozano¹, Clifford P Rice, Mark Ramirez, Alba Torrents

Affiliation

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.

PMID: 22035932
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.09.020

Abstract

This study investigates the persistence of Triclosan (TCS), and its degradation product, Methyltriclosan (MeTCS), after land application of biosolids to an experimental agricultural plot under both till and no till. Surface soil samples (n = 40) were collected several times over a three years period and sieved to remove biosolids. Concentration of TCS in the soil gradually increased with maximum levels of 63.7 ± 14.1 ng g(-1) dry wt., far below the predicted maximum concentration of 307.5 ng g(-1) dry wt. TCS disappearance corresponded with MeTCS appearance, suggesting in situ formation. Our results suggest that soil incorporation and degradation processes are taking place simultaneously and that TCS background levels are achieved within two years. TCS half-life (t(0.5)) was determined as 104 d and MeTCS t(0.5), which was more persistent than TCS, was estimated at 443 d.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
Environmental Monitoring
Half-Life
Refuse Disposal
Soil Pollutants / chemistry*
Triclosan / chemistry*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Soil Pollutants
Triclosan