Displacement of Fluometuron and Diuron through Saturated Glass Beads and Soil

Abstract

Solutions containing 3-(m-trifluromethylphenyl)-l,l-di-methylurea (fluometuron) or 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) were displaced through saturated 250-μ glass beads or through Norge loam soil at two water flow rates. The procedure used allowed uniform application of herbicide solutions to the soil surface and subsequent displacement of the herbicide through soil or glass bead columns at a constant water flow rate. Fluometuron was as mobile as the chloride ion at both high and low flow rates. The shape of the fluometuron distribution curves obtained at the two flow rates were distinctly different. The volume of water required to displace fluometuron through a material that adsorbed the herbicide was greater than that necessary to displace the fluometuron through materials giving a smaller amount of adsorption. More diuron was adsorbed by the glass bead system than fluometuron.