Partitioning of chlorpyrifos between water and an aquatic macrophyte ( )

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used organophosphate (OP) insecticide. As such, the potential for off-site migration exists. This research was conducted to determine the ability of plant material (Elodea densa) to accumulate chlorpyrifos from the water column. Our system consisted of one hundred Elodea densa stems in a 38 L glass tank in moderately-hard water (80g CaCO3/L H2O). Water and plant samples were collected prior to fortification and in intervals from 1 hour to 14 days after onset of the experiment. Chlorpyrifos was shown to dissipate over a 2-week period in the aqueous phase and accumulate in Elodea densa. From our studies, it is apparent that these aquatic macrophytes have the ability to sorb organic compounds, such as chlorpyrifos, and assist in removing them from the aqueous environment.