Degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in aerobic and anaerobic soil

Abstract

Aerobic and anaerobic degradation of 14C-labeled pentachlorophenol (PCP) [herbicide] was examined in N2 aerated, moist Hagerstown silty clay loam with or without cellulose amendments. In anaerobic soil, PCP reduced soil respiration in the presence of cellulose, volatilization losses accounted for only 0.5% of the PCP added to soil, no 14CO2 was detected and organic solvent extractable radioactivity was the same for all treatments. Gas chromatography [GC] and TLC analysis of the soil extracts showed the presence of pentachloroanisole in aerobic and anaerobic soils. Also detected as degradation products by GC after methylation were 2,3,5,6- and 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenols and 2,3,6-trichlorophenol. Further degradation of the pentachloroanisole was examined in aerobic and anaerobic soils.