Abstract

SHAHZAD AHMAD, Khuram. FUNGICIDAL METHYL-2-BENZIMIDAZOLE CARBAMATE ADSORPTION IN SOIL AND REMEDIATION VIA Prunus dulcis DERIVED ACTIVATED CARBON. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.2, pp.429-442.  Epub May 04, 2021. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.53544.

Carbendazim (methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate i.e. MBC) was investigated for pedospheric adsorption-desorption, mobility and effective removal via Prunus dulcis derived activated carbon in addition to physical and chemical characterization of selected soils. MBC was adsorbed into six agriculturally soils with distinctive characteristics via batch-equilibrium method and was evaluated via linear and Freundlich models. The highest value for linear and Freundlich adsorption coefficients i.e. Kd and Kf (8.8 µg/mL and 11 µg/mL respectively) corresponds to soil sample 6 having organic matter (3.3 %) and clay (18 %). Soils exhibited variable affinity towards MBC adsorption with Kd ranging between 6.3 to 11 µg/mL and Kf ranging from 5.2 to 7.4 µg/mL, signifying weak adsorption of MBC in selected soils. Desorption for soil sample 1 was highest because all parameters favor the quicker MBC molecules detachment from soil particles deficient in organic matter. Results for current investigation were examined for statistical significance via one way analysis of variance goodness of fit determined with residual plots in Minitab. In the remediation assay, Prunus dulcis shells were used as precursors for activated carbon preparation. MBC was removed up to 100 % in the lowest concentration, i.e. 2.5 ppm, while only 23 % of MBC was removed in case of 7.5 ppm, expressing the concentration dependency of the remediation assay. Prunus dulcis shells derived activated carbon is a sustainable and non-toxic material, which opens the future arenas for further research on its commercialization potential for remediation of soil compartment.

Keywords : carbendazim; activation; precursor; soil pollution; sorption; organic matter.