Estimating the Degradation Half-life of Herbicides in the Soil Using Computer-developed Models

Timothy M. Akpomie^1, , Eno O. Ekanem² and Janet O. Akpomie³

¹Federal University Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria

²Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

³Tel Water Factory KM 7 Zaria Road, Jos, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Timothy M. Akpomie, Eno O. Ekanem and Janet O. Akpomie. Estimating the Degradation Half-life of Herbicides in the Soil Using Computer-developed Models. World Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 2016; 4(2):17-18. doi: 10.12691/wjac-4-2-1

Abstract

The researchers carried out this study in order to develop an appropriate model for estimating the degradation half-life of soil-applied herbicide. The results of the effect of pH and time on the degradation of atrazine in untreated Ningi soil of Bauchi State, Nigeria, was used as the input to a Minitab computer programme. The software or programme was used to develop the model for estimating or forecasting the degradation half-life of the herbicide in the soil. The developed model: T_1/2(days) = 175 - 5.63C(ppm) - 12pH was found to be remarkable and provided insight as to how long half of the initial Concentration of the applied herbicide would remain un-degraded. This obviously would be an invaluable index in estimating the extent of persistence of the herbicide in the soil, water (due to leaching through the soil profile) or even plant uptake.

Keywords:
herbicides half-life model forecast minitab

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