Sorption of Cypermethrin Diastereoisomers to Quartz, Corundum, Goethite, Kaolinite and Montmorillonite

Abstract

Differential sorption and degradation of different pesticide stereoisomers in soil may result in accumulation of the most strongly sorbed and the slowest degradable isomers. In this work the pyrethroid cypermethrin (8 isomers) has been used for test of stereochemical interactions with surfaces of the minerals quartz, corundum, goethite, kaolinite and montmorillonite. The sorption of three diastereoisomeric fractions denoted Cis A, Trans C and Cis B + Trans D were quantified by use of GC-ECD in batch experiments with initial cypermethrin concentrations in the range 1-9 µg/L. Correction for cypermethrin sorbed to surfaces of the shaking flasks were accomplished to obtain net sorption isotherms for the minerals, all of which were well fitted by the Freundlich equation. Bonding affinities per unit surface area decreased in the order: corundum > quartz > kaolinite > montmorillonite > goethite. The isotherms for sorption of all diastereoisomeric fractions to quartz, corundum and goethite were all linear, whereas non-linear isotherms were found for sorption of Cis A and Trans C fractions to kaolinite and montmorillonite. Corundum, quartz and goethite showed a significantly stronger sorption of Cis A than the other fractions, while kaolinite sorbed Cis B + Trans D most strongly. The observed differences predict less leaching and slower degradation of the Cis A fraction in subsoils low in organic carbon.