Studies on degradation of 14C-chlorpyrifos in the marine environment

Degradation of 14C-chlorpyrifos was studied in a marine ecosystem for 60 days and in marine sediment under moist and flooded conditions using a continuous flow system allowinga total 14C-mass balance for a period of 40 days. In the marine ecosystem, 14C-chlorpyrifos underwent rapid degradation and very little (1–2%) 14C- residues of the applied activity were detected after two months in sediments. Clams were major component of the ecosystem and played a significant role in degradation of the insecticide. In the continuous flow system chlorpyrifos did not undergo substantial mineralization. Volatilization accounted for 0.8–1% loss during first ten days of application. The amounts of extractable 14C-activity were higher in flooded sediments than in moist sediment. More bound residues were formed under moist conditions. TCP (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) was the major degradation product formed under both moist and flooded conditions, its formation being higher in the latter conditions. These studies underline the role of clams in degradation of chlorpyrifos and lack of microbial degradation. In absence of clams, chlorpyrifos underwent abiotic degradation in marine sediment with formation of bound residues.