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Science 26 May 1967:
Vol. 156. no. 3778, pp. 1116 - 1117
DOI: 10.1126/science.156.3778.1116
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Articles

Anaerobic Biodegradation of DDT to DDD in Soil

W. D. Guenzi 1 and W. E. Beard 1

1 Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, Aricultural Reseach Service, U.S. Department of Agricultutre, Fort Collins, Colorado

DDT labeled with carbon-14 was added to soil, and the mixture was incubated anaerobically for 2 weeks and 4 weeks. DDT and seven possible decomposition products were separated by thin-layer chromatography, and the radioactivity of material from individual spots was determined by liquid scintillation. The DDT was dechlorinated by soil microorganisms to DDD, and only traces of other degradation products were detected. No degradation of DDT was detected in sterile soil.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Photochemical Decomposition of DDT by a Free-Radical Mechanism.
A. R. Mosier, W. D. Guenzi, and L. L. Miller (1969)
Science 164, 1083-1085
   Abstract »    PDF »
Persistence of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides in Soils.
R. G. Nash and E. A. Woolson (1967)
Science 157, 924-927
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)