Carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis of parathion for characterizing its natural attenuation by hydrolysis at a contaminated site. (15th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Langping; Verma, Dipti; Bondgaard, Morten; Melvej, Anja; Vogt, Carsten; Subudhi, Sanjukta; Richnow, Hans H.
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 143(2018)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2018-10-15
• Subjects: Isotope fractionation -- Parathion -- In situ hydrolysis -- Field application -- CSIA; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.06.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: The applicability of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for assessing in situ hydrolysis of parathion was investigated in a contaminated aquifer at a former pesticide wastes landfill site. Stable isotope analysis of parathion extracted from groundwater taken from different monitoring wells revealed a maximum enrichment in carbon isotope ratio of +4.9‰ compared to the source of parathion, providing evidence that in situ hydrolysis took place. Calculations based on the Rayleigh-equation approach indicated that the natural attenuation of parathion was up to 8.6% by hydrolysis under neutral and acidic conditions. In degradation experiments with aerobic and anaerobic parathion-degrading microbes, no carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionation of parathion were observed. For the first time, CSIA has been applied for the exclusive assessment of the hydrolysis of phosphorothioate-containing organophosphorus pesticides at a contaminated field site. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: First application of CSIA for assessment of in situ hydrolysis at contaminated site. Biodegradation of parathion is not associated with 2 H and 13 C isotope fractionation. The extent of natural attenuation of parathion by hydrolysis can be quantified using CSIA.