Source: UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS submitted to NRP
IMPACT OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER FROM ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON PESTICIDE LEACHING ON TURF
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0202822
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2005
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2009
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS
(N/A)
AMHERST,MA 01003
Performing Department
CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE
Non Technical Summary
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) from organic amendments used on turf may increase leaching potential of pesticides. The project examines how DOM from organic amendments affects pesticide leaching in turf soils with a goal to develop a scheme to manage an environmentally friendly turfgrass ecosystem.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1010110200050%
1120210200050%
Knowledge Area
112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 0210 - Water resources;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
The nature and properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water and soil are a topic of significant environmental interest due to its binding with organic and inorganic contaminants and its ability of producing undesirable by-products during water treatment. Our working hypothesis is that DOM concentration increases with incorporation of organic amendments in turf soils. The increase of DOM in soil can reduce sorption of pesticides and enhance their movement. The specific objectives of the proposal are: 1) to fractionate and characterize DOM from different organic fertilizers, which are widely used in golf course, athletic field and other fine turf; 2) to determine how DOM (both fractions and concentrations) affect pesticide sorption and release using both batch and column experiment; 3) to evaluate DOM leaching and its impacts on pesticide leaching potential under different turfgrass management practices in the field and relate them to molecular and chemical properties of DOM.
Project Methods
DOM Extraction: DOM will be extracted from several commercial organic amendments by water. After mixing, the samples will be centrifuged and then filtered through glass fiber filter papers. Extracted DOM will be will be used for chemical and functional group analyses. Molecular DOM Fractions will be obtained using an equilibrium dialysis technique with several molecular weight cutoffs. Individual fractions will be divided into two parts: one for sorption and column experiments and the other for chemical and spectroscopic characterization. Characterization of DOM: Elemental composition (C, H, N, S, and O) of DOM and its fractions will be determined. Solid-state 13C NMR will be used to quantitatively determine the structural group distribution. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry will be used to identify chemical functional groups. Sorption and Release: Selected 14C labeled and non-radioactive pesticides, and model compounds will be used as sorbates to carry out sorption experiments. Soil from a real golf course and a USGA sand mix will be used as sorbents. Release will be conducted by sequential decant-refill steps. In both sorption and desorption experiments, different DOM, its molecular mass fractions, and concentrations will be used as the background solutions. Column Experiments: Sorption and leaching dynamics using disturbed soil columns will be determined. On-Site Experiments: Field trials will be carried out at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center, University of Massachusetts. USGA sand root zones will be constructed. During construction, a sealed Teflon liner material will be used under green soil profiles to hold water from leaching out. The leaching output can be collected and monitored during the growing season for DOM, pesticides and nitrate after filtration. Three different fertilization programs, two organic fertilizers and one inorganic fertilizer, will be evaluated. The experimental design will be randomized complete block and experimental data will be analyzed statistically for any significant treatment difference. Pesticides and their metabolites will be analyzed and DOM in leachates will be characterized.

Progress 04/01/05 to 03/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We determined the binding of organic contaminants by dissolved organic matter (DOM) at different composting stages. We found that DOM during composting had different binding affinity for organic pollutants; composting process decreased the binding affinity and increased the heterogeneity of binding sites of DOM. In another experiment, we observed the sorption of DOM by nano Al2O3 particles. In addition, we examined sorption of DOM by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs can significantly adsorbed DOM. Adsorption of DOM depends greatly on the adsorbent surface area and solution pH. The apparent interaction mechanisms between DOM and CNT surfaces include electrostatic, hydrophobic, pi-pi and hydrogen-bond interactions. DOM adsorption was reduced with increasing pH because of the increase of electrostatic repulsion and the decrease of hydrophobic and hydrogen-bond interactions. Our research data were presented at different national and international meetings and conferences, and published in refereed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Environmental scientists; college students; ecologists, regulators PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) could stabilize the suspension of nanoparticles (possibly a new type of emerging pollutants), which likely will increase their mobility and exposure. On other hand, coating of DOM may decrease the toxicity of nanoparticles due to the less direct contact with target organisms. The DOM binding results indicate that bioremediation of organic compounds-contaminated soils with matured compost, rather than with fresh organic amendments, may result in faster and more effective cleanup.

Publications

  • Plaza, C., B. Xing, J.M. Fernandez, N. Senesi and A. Polo. 2009. Binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by humic acids formed during composting. Environ. Pollut. 157: 257-263.
  • Pan, B., P. Ning and B. Xing. 2009. Humic substances. Part V: Sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 16: 106-116.
  • Yang, K. and B. Xing. 2009. Adsorption of fulvic acid by carbon nanotubes from water. Environ. Pollut. 157: 1095-1100.
  • Lin, D.H. and B. Xing. 2008. Adsorption of phenolic compounds by carbon nanotubes: Role of aromaticity and substitution of hydroxyl groups. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42(19); 7254-7259.
  • Ghosh, S., H. Mashayekhi, B. Pan, P. Bhowmik and B. Xing. 2008. Colloidal behavior of aluminum oxide nanoparticles as affected by pH and natural organic matter. Langmuir, 24(21): 12385-12391.
  • Pan, B., P. Ning and B. Xing. 2008. Humic substances. Part IV: Sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 15:554-564.


Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We conducted several experiments during this reporting period. We also developed a new dialysis method to study sorption of organic contaminants by dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can used for various types of DOM. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and zetasizer were used to examine DOM and its interactions with metal ions. We observed that solution chemistry and DOM concentration strongly altered the conformation and charge characteristics of DOM, leading to large changes in sorption of organic contaminants. Fractionation of DOM occurred upon adsorption on soil minerals, thus changed the properties of DOM adsorbed on soil minerals. Sorption of nonpolar fractions of DOM would increase the retention and leaching of organic contaminants in soils. In addition, we found that ligand exchange (chemi-sorption) could strongly adsorbed DOM on soils minerals such as goethite. Our research data were presented at different national and international meetings and conferences, and published in highly respected refereed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bo Pan, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab; Dr. Marianna Iorio, University of Naples, a former visiting student in the lab; Ms. Karen Haymann, Cornel University, a former M.Sc. student in the lab TARGET AUDIENCES: Environmental scientists; college students; ecologists PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Sorption capacity of organic contaminants is related with the charge and conformation properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which should be taken into account when modeling the fate and transport of organic contaminants as affected by DOM. Our newly developed dialysis sorption method can be used by any other scientists who are interested in studying the interactions between pollutants and DOM. Further, strong sorption of DOM by soil minerals may help sequestrate carbon in soils. The increased understanding of nonlinear interactions between organic contaminants and DOM, and DOM adsorption on minerals will help to better predict and prevent leaching of both organic contaminants and DOM in soils.

Publications

  • Pan, B. S. Ghosh and B. Xing. 2008. Dissolved organic matter conformation and its interaction with pyrene as affected by water chemistry and concentration. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42(5): 1594-1599.
  • Lin, D.H. and B. Xing. 2008. Tannic acid adsorption and its role for stabilizing carbon nanotube suspensions. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42(15): 5917-5923.
  • Kang, S.H. and B. Xing. 2008. Humic acid fractionation upon sequential adsorption onto goethite. Langmuir, 24: 2525-2531.
  • Kang, S. D. Amarasiriwardena and B. Xing. 2008. Effect of dehydration on dicarboxylic acid coordination at goethite/water interface. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 318:275-284.
  • Pan, B., S. Ghosh and B. Xing. 2007. Nonideal binding between dissolved humic acids and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41(18): 6472-6478.
  • Bai, Y.C., F.C. Wu, C.Q. Liu, J. Guo, P.Q. Fu, W. Li and B. Xing. 2008. Interaction between carbamazepine and humic substances: a fluorescence spectroscopic study. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 27(1): 95-102.
  • Iorio, M, B. Pan, R. Capasso and B. Xing. 2008. Sorption of phenanthrene by dissolved organic matter and its complex with aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Environ. Pollut. 156: 1021-1029.


Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
Several lab experiments were conducted during this reporting period. Different dissolved organic matter (DOM) samples were extracted and prepared. These DOM samples were analyzed and characterized by an elemental analyzer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR). Several organic contaminants were used to study the sorption behavior of the above prepared samples. Several forms of soil organic matter were also used to study sorption of organic contaminants. Further, different experimental techniques were evaluated for sorption contaminants by DOM samples. Because simple, soluble organic acids are common in DOM samples and they can coat on soil minerals, and then affect sorption and leaching of organic contaminants, sorption of simple, soluble organic acids by soil minerals were examined. Our research data were presented at different national and international meetings and conferences, and published in highly respected refereed journals.

Impacts
Our data indicate that sorption capacity of organic pollutant is negatively correlated with the polarity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) samples. Also, isotherm nonlinearity was observed for DOM samples, which is different from majority of DOM sorption studies. From the evaluation of several sorption experimental techniques, fluorescence quenching method should be used with caution due to the uncertainty of quenching mechanisms. We will try to develop new techniques for DOM sorption experiments in the future. From the experiments on sorption of soluble organic acids by soil clay minerals, we concluded that drying can convert initially formed outer-sphere complexes to inner-sphere complexes, thus stabilizing on the mineral surface. Also, adsorption of these organic acids in the soil clay minerals decreased with increasing pH. Improved understanding of interactions between organic contaminants including pesticides and DOM will lead to better technologies to prevent their leaching in soils.

Publications

  • Wu, F.C., Y. Bai, C. Liu and B. Xing. 2007. Interactions between carbamazepine and humic substances: a fluorescence spectroscopy study. Humic Science and Technology Ten, Boston, MA, March 21-23, p. 32.
  • Pan, B. and B. Xing. 2007. Non-ideal interactions between PAHs and DOM. Humic Science and Technology Ten, Boston, MA, March 21-23, p. 31.
  • Pan, B., B. Xing, W.X. Liu, G.H. Xing and S. Tao. 2007. Investigating interactions of phenanthrene with dissolved organic matter: Limitations of Stern-Volmer plot. Chemosphere, 69: 1555-1562.
  • Kang, S. and B. Xing. 2007. Adsorption of dicarboxylic acids by clay minerals as examined by in situ ATR-FTIR and ex situ DRIFT. Langmuir, 23: 7024-7031.
  • Pan, B., B. Xing, S. Tao, W. Liu, X. Lin, Y. Xiao, H. Dai, X. Zhang, Y. Zhang and H. Yuan. 2007. Effect of physical forms of soil organic matter on phenanthrene sorption. Chemosphere, 68: 1262-1269.
  • He, Z.Q., C.W. Honeycutt, B. Xing, R.W. McDowell, P.J. Pellechia and T.Q. Zhang. 2007. Solid state Fourier transform infrared and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectral features of phosphate compounds. Soil Sci. 172:501-515.
  • Chen, D.Y., B. Xing and W.B. Xie. 2007. Sorption of phenanthrene, naphthalene and o-xylene by soil organic matter fractions. Geoderma. 139: 329-335.


Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
We constructed the field lysimeters at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center, University of Massachusetts. There are three treatments (two organic fertilizers and one synthetic nitrogen fertilizer); each with three replicates. Preliminary data indicate that dissolved organic matter (DOM) could be leached out with irrigation and rainfall, particularly right after application of the fertilizers. Currently, we are testing the leaching of pesticides, nitrogen, and phosphorus. From the laboratory research, we observed that bulk DOM from two organic fertilizers apparently reduced sorption coefficients of organic compounds by soils. We also characterized the dissolved organic matter (fulvic acid) of soils and tested the effect of soluble organic acids on uptake of metals and other dissolved organic acids in soils. Soluble organic acids are part of soil DOM and affect formation of soil structure and solute leaching. We are investigating how different molecular fractions of DOM affect pesticide sorption.

Impacts
Knowledge on leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) will help us to reduce water contamination by DOM and DOM-associated pesticides.

Publications

  • Dai, J., Ran, W., B. Xing, et al. 2006. Characterization of fulvic acid fractions obtained by sequential extractions with pH buffers, water, and ethanol from paddy soils. Geoderma, 135: 284-295.
  • Nascimento, C.W. and B. Xing. 2006. Phytoextraction: a review on enhanced metal availability and plant accumulation. Scientia Agricola, 63(3): 299-311.
  • Tharayil, N., P. C. Bhowmik and B. Xing. 2006. Preferential sorption of phenolic phytotoxins to soil: Implications for altering the availability of allelochemicals. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54: 3033-3040.
  • Li, K., B. Xing, and W.A. Torello. 2005. Effect of organic fertilizers derived dissolved organic matter on pesticide sorption and leaching. Environ. Pollut. 134: 187-194.
  • Nascimento, C.W., D. Amarasiriwardena and B. Xing. 2006. Comparison of natural organic acids and synthetic chelates at enhancing phytoextraction of metals from a multi-metal contaminated soil. Environ. Pollut. 140(1): 114-123.


Progress 04/01/05 to 10/31/05

Outputs
Use of organic fertilizers/amendments is a popular strategy for golf course turfgrass management. However, these organic materials may contain high levels of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can potentially facilitate organic chemical movement through soils. We have extracted and characterized DOM samples from one commercial organic fertilizer and from several soils using spectroscopic techniques (e.g., FTIR and NMR). Preliminary data showed that different DOM fractions had very different chemical and structural properties, which may affect sorption and desorption of organic chemicals in soils. In addition, we are building the field scale lysimeters at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center, University of Massachusetts. These field lysimeters will be ready for use next spring to evaluate the leaching of SOM and associated chemicals.

Impacts
Chemical and structural information of dissolved organic matter (DOM) will help turfgrass managers and us to better understand the property of organic fertilizers/amendments and to properly use these organic amendments on golf courses.

Publications

  • Heymann, K., S. Ebdon, D. Reckhow and B. Xing. 2005. Characterization of dissolved organic matter and its effect on sorption of organic chemicals. The Annual SSSA meetings, Nov. 6-10, Salt Lake City, USA. Abstract #: 119-13.