Binding of Organic Pollutants to Soil Organic Matter

Abstract

Binding of organic pollutants to water-soluble, low-molecular weight humic substances increases their mobility in soil and their leaching, whereas binding to high-molecular weight humic substances results in unextractable residues. Water-soluble pollutants in leachate may be bound to low-molecular weight humic material, or may be free water-soluble conversion products that are slowly released from a soil-bound form, as shown for a conversion product of the insecticide aldrin. Unextractable soil-bound 4-chloroaniline was isolated by supercritical methanol extraction 16 years after application of the phenylurea herbicide buturon to soil. Biodegradation and bioavailability of unextractable soil-bound residues are greatly reduced as compared to the free compounds. For some chlorinated anilines and phenols, biomineralization and plant uptake was shown to be highest for residues bound in fulvic acids and lowest for those in humic acids. Model experiments demonstrate that chlorinated anilines form covalent bonds with humic acid precursors.