Biodegradation of Chlorothalonil, Fenobucarb and Methidathion in Nakdong River, South Korea

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bae, Hun-Kyun^{b; *} | Cha, Chun-Geun^a

Affiliations: [a] Water Business Division, Woojin Construction and Engineering, 76 W-Tower, Baekja-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, S. Korea | [b] Department of Global Environment, School of Environment, Keimyung University, 203 Osan Hall, 1095 Dalgubuldearo, Dalsegu, Daegu, 704-701, S. Korea

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. hunkyunbae@kmu.ac.kr

Abstract: The study was to evaluate the biodegradability of three pesticides in river water, Korea. The biodegradation tests for three pesticides, chlorothalonil, fenobucarb and methidathion, were performed on two rivers, Nakdong River and Kumho River, in Korea according to the modified river die-away method. The biodegradations for fenobucarb and methidathion were rapid in polluted river (Kumho River) and slow in clean river (Nakdong River). The reason for the difference might be due to the acclimatization of microbial community to chemical contaminants in the river for a long time. Biodegradation of chlorothalonil exhibited the highest rate compared to those of fenobucarb and methidathion. Chlorothalonil, fenobucarb and methidathion are unlikely to persist in aquatic environment long enough to be a serious groundwater or drinking water problem. Further studies are needed to clarify biodegradation of these pesticides by bacterial specie.

Keywords: Biodegradability, chlorothalonil, fenobucarb, methidathion, Nakdong river

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-150009

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 71-74, 2015