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Mathematical Modeling in Microbial Ecology pp 124–141Cite as

Modeling of Pesticide Biodegradation in Soil

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Part of the book series: Chapman & Hall Microbiology Series ((CHMBS))

Abstract

Pesticides are an integral part of modern agriculture. A significant proportion of the increase in agricultural productivity since World War II is directly attributable to effectively controlling weed, insect, and fungal pests with herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, respectively. The need for pesticides is underscored by a total U.S. production in 1990 of approximately 1.1 billion lb (Anonymous 1990). However, the intentional release of large quantities of synthetic pesticides has given rise to serious concerns over the potential for adverse human health and environmental effects. Largely as a consequence of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, the majority of organochlorine insecticides were banned (e.g., DDT) in the 1970s because of their volatility, persistence, and tendency to bioaccumulate in the food chain. In recent years, there has been renewed concern over the fate of soil-applied herbicides and insecticides because of the potential for runoff and/or leaching through the soil profile, resulting in the contamination of surface and ground waters. Various strategies have been proposed for minimizing contamination; however, the only permanent and environmentally benign solution is biodegradation. Consequently, the use of pesticides that are rapidly and extensively biodegraded to CO2, H2O, NH4 +, etc. is desirable.

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Authors
  1. Daniel R. Shelton
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  2. Michael A. Doherty
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  3. Timothy B. Parkin
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  4. Joseph A. Robinson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Arthur L. Koch

  2. Upjohn Laboratories Biostatistic and Environmental Research, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Joseph A. Robinson

  3. Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    George A. Milliken

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Shelton, D.R., Doherty, M.A., Parkin, T.B., Robinson, J.A. (1998). Modeling of Pesticide Biodegradation in Soil. In: Koch, A.L., Robinson, J.A., Milliken, G.A. (eds) Mathematical Modeling in Microbial Ecology. Chapman & Hall Microbiology Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4078-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4078-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6826-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4078-6

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