Effect of Multiple Stresses, Organic Amendment and Compaction, on the Fate and Impact of Isoproturon in Soil

Abstract

Organic matter decline and compaction are two major processes of soil degradation. Organic amendment is a current practice to compensate the loss of organic matter, which could in addition contribute to increase soil aggregate stability and limit compaction. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effect of multiple physico-chemical stresses, organic amendment (compost of sewage sludge and green waste) addition and soil compaction, on the fate and impact (measured through the urease enzyme activity) of isoproturon. Compost addition and compaction did not significantly affect the fate and impact of isoproturon. The lack of effect of compost can be due to the delay between soil sampling and soil amendment. Compaction had no effect probably because the porosity reduction does not affect the habitable pore space accessible to degrading microorganisms. Nevertheless, isoproturon significantly increased the urease enzyme activity in compacted and not compacted unamended soils contrary to the amended ones. It seems that the organic amendment could act as a buffer with regards to the impact of isoproturon. The results obtained in this work suggest that, in general, the fate and impact of isoproturon in soils will not change following compaction and/or organic amendment addition, neither the corresponding risks for the environment.