Residues of nonylphenol in spruce foliage, forest soil, stream water and sediment after its aerial application

Abstract

Nonylphenol, a major component of the Matacil^® (aminocarb) formulation, was mixed with insecticide diluent 585 and applied at 0.47 l./ha by a fixed‐wing aircraft to a mixed coniferous forest in Algoma District, Ontario. Residues in white spruce foliage were the highest 1 h after spraying (18.90 ppm) and declined to 60% in the next two hours. After 30 days only 3% of the highest concentration recorded was observed. No detectable levels (<0.20 ppm) of nonylphenol were found after 62 days. No residues were detected in any forest soil sample collected after spraying. Nonylphenol residues were about 9 ppb in the stream water 1 h after its application and declined to 50% in the next two hours. Only trace amounts (less than 2.0 ppb) were detected after 5 days and no residues were detected in any water sample taken beyond this time. Residues at trace level (less than 0.10 ppm) were detected in only one sediment sample faken 4 hours after spraying.