Abstract
Seaweed was investigated as an amendment to enhance remediation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT)-contaminated soil. Under anaerobic conditions, the addition of seaweeds increased DDT degradation between 61 % and 88 % of the original concentration after 14 days of incubation whereas only 33 % of DDT was degraded in unamended soil. DDT was degraded to metabolites such as 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE), and 1-chloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDMU). Seaweed-amended soils converted 35–56 % of DDT to DDD while the unamended soil formed only 15 % DDD. Seaweed amendments modified soil conditions which include soils’ dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ionic strength, redox potential, and pH. These significant physicochemical changes influenced the increase in DDT bioavailability and transformation in seaweed-amended soils compared to the unamended soils. Multiple linear regression analysis also suggested that factors such as DOC, calcium, redox potential, and pH are involved against DDT degradation (p = 0.02).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Businelli, D. (1997). Pig slurry amendment and herbicide coapplication effects on s-triazine mobility in soil: an adsorption–desorption study. Journal of Environmental Quality, 26(1), 102–108.
Dalla Villa, R., de Carvalho Dores, E. F. G., Carbo, L., & Cunha, M. L. F. (2006). Dissipation of DDT in a heavily contaminated soil in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Chemosphere, 64(4), 549–554.
Farmer, W. J., Spencer, W. F., Shepherd, R. A., & Cliath, M. M. (1974). Effect of flooding and organic matter applications on DDT residues in soil. Journal of Environmental Quality, 3(4), 343.
Gee, G. W., Bauder, J. W. & Klute, A. (eds) (1986). Methods of soil analysis: Part 1, physical and mineralogical methods, American Society of Agronomy Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI.
Glass, B. L. (1972). Relation between the degradation of DDT and the iron redox system in soils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 20(2), 324–327.
Haarstad, K., & Fresvig, M. (2000). The influence of organic matter and pH on DDT aqueous solubility. Journal of Soil Contamination, 9(4), 347–358.
Hamaker, J. W., & Thompson, J. M. (1972). Adsorption. In C. A. I. Goring & J. W. Hamaker (Eds.), Organic chemicals in the soil environment (pp. 49–144). New York: Dekker.
Hassett, J. J. & Banwart, W. L. (1989). Sorption of nonpolar organics by soils and sediments, reactions and movement of organic chemicals in soils. Proceedings of a Symposium of the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy SSSA Special Publication No. 22. Soil Science Society of America, Inc., Madison, WI, pp. 30–45.
Kantachote, D., Naidu, R., Williams, B., McClure, N., Megharaj, M., & Singleton, I. (2004). Bioremediation of DDT-contaminated soil: enhancement by seaweed addition. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 79(6), 632–638.
Ko, W. H., & Lockwood, J. L. (1968). Conversion of DDT to DDD in soil and the effect of these compounds on soil microorganisms. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 14(10), 1069–1073.
Laegdsmand, M., de Jonge, L. W., Moldrup, P., & Keiding, K. (2004). Pyrene sorption to water-dispersible colloids effect of solution chemistry and organic matter. Vadose Zone Journal, 3(2), 451–461.
Mitra, J., & Raghu, K. (1988). Influence of green manuring on the persistence of DDT in soil. Environmental Technology, 9(8), 847–852.
Murphy, E. M., Zachara, J. M., Smith, S. C., Phillips, J. L., & Wietsma, T. W. (1994). Interaction of hydrophobic organic compounds with mineral-bound humic substances. Environmental Science and Technology, 28(7), 1291–1299.
Pan, B., Ning, P., & Xing, B. (2008). Part IV—sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 15(7), 554–564.
Rajaram, K. P., & Sethunathan, N. (1975). Effect of organic sources on the degradation of parathion in flooded alluvial soil. Soil Science, 119(4), 296–300.
Sayles, G. D., You, G., Wang, M., & Kupferle, M. J. (1997). DDT, DDD, and DDE dechlorination by zero-valent iron. Environmental Science and Technology, 31(12), 3448–3454.
Sethunathan, N. (1973). Microbial degradation of insecticides in flooded soil and in anaerobic cultures. Residue Reviews, 47, 143–165.
Stephenson, W. A. (Ed.). (1968). Seaweed in agriculture and horticulture. London: Elsevier.
Zoro, J. A., Hunter, J. M., & Eglinton, G. (1974). Degradation of p,p′-DDT in reducing environments. Nature, 247(5438), 235–237.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Guest Editors: R Naidu, Euan Smith, MH Wong, Megharaj Mallavarapu, Nanthi Bolan, Albert Juhasz, and Enzo Lombi
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Remediation of Site Contamination
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sudharshan, S., Mallavarapu, M., Bolan, N. et al. Effect of Seaweeds on Degradation of DDT in Soils. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1715 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1715-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1715-x