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PHENOXYALKANOIC ACID HERBICIDES IN MUNICIPAL LANDFILL LEACHATES
Citation:
Gintautas, P., S. Daniel, AND D. Macalady. PHENOXYALKANOIC ACID HERBICIDES IN MUNICIPAL LANDFILL LEACHATES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-94/475.
Description:
Analysis of leachates from six U.S. municipal landfills revealed the presence of chlorinated 2-phenoxypropionic acid herbicides; however, none of the more widely used acetic acid analogues was present at quantifiable levels. ll of the leachates contained MCPP. ,4-DP and silvex were detected in four of the six. he herbicide 2,4-DB was also found in four of the leachates. hese compounds persisted in the leachates during 2-3 years of storage while significant depletion of total organic carbon (TOC) in general and of low molecular weight carboxylic acids in particular was observed. ince landfills and leachates are microbially active environments (as demonstrated here by the TOC depletion during storage), this unexpected lack of degradation of several phenoxy herbicides poses concerns for possible groundwater contamination. he concentrations of these herbicides present in the leachates (0-90 ug/L) are consistent with disposal of small quantities of household waste or disposal of plant materials that contain the herbicide.