Error evaluation of methyl bromide aerodynamic flux measurements

Michael S. Majewski

doi:10.1021/bk-1997-0652.ch012

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70019301

Error evaluation of methyl bromide aerodynamic flux measurements

Michael S. Majewski

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Methyl bromide volatilization fluxes were calculated for a tarped and a nontarped field using 2 and 4 hour sampling periods. These field measurements were averaged in 8, 12, and 24 hour increments to simulate longer sampling periods. The daily flux profiles were progressively smoothed and the cumulative volatility losses increased by 20 to 30% with each longer sampling period. Error associated with the original flux measurements was determined from linear regressions of measured wind speed and air concentration as a function of height, and averaged approximately 50%. The high errors resulted from long application times, which resulted in a nonuniform source strength; and variable tarp permeability, which is influenced by temperature, moisture, and thickness. The increase in cumulative volatilization losses that resulted from longer sampling periods were within the experimental error of the flux determination method.

Explore related subjects

ACS Symposium Series Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Michael S. Majewski. 2009-07-23. Error evaluation of methyl bromide aerodynamic flux measurements. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-1997-0652.ch012

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2011

Redox chemistry and natural organic matter (NOM): Geochemists' dream, analytical chemists' nightmare

Natural organic matter (NOM) is an inherently complex mixture of polyfunctional organic molecules. Because of their universality and chemical reversibility, oxidation/reductions (redox) reactions of NOM have an especially interesting and important role in geochemistry. Variabilities in NOM composition and chemistry make studies of its redox chemistry particularly challenging, and details of NOM-mediated redox reactions are only partially understood. This is in large part due to the analytical difficulties associated with NOM characterization and the wide range of reagents and experimental systems used to study NOM redox reactions. This chapter provides a summary of the ongoing efforts to provide a coherent comprehension of aqueous redox chemistry involving NOM and of techniques for chemical characterization of NOM. It also describes some attempts to confirm the roles of different structural moieties in redox reactions. In addition, we discuss some of the operational parameters used to describe NOM redox capacities and redox states, and describe nomenclature of NOM redox chemistry. Several relatively facile experimental methods applicable to predictions of the NOM redox activity and redox states of NOM samples are discussed, with special attention to the proposed use of fluorescence spectroscopy to predict relevant redox characteristics of NOM samples.

ACS Symposium Series↗

USGS2009

Estimation of the potential for atrazine transport in a silt loam soil

The transport potential of the herbicide atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethyl-6-isopropyl- s -triazine) through a 1-meter-thick root zone of corn ( Zea mays L.) in a silty-loam soil in Kansas was estimated for a 22-year period (1972-93) using the one-dimensional water-flow and solute-transport model LEACHM. Results demonstrate that, for this soil, atrazine transport is directly related to the amount and timing of rain that follows spring applications of atrazine. Two other critical transport factors were important in wet years — [1] variability in atrazine application rate, and [2] atrazine degradation rates below the root zone. Results demonstrate that the coincidence of heavy rain soon after atrazine application can cause herbicide to move below the rooting zone into depths at which biodegradation rates are assumed to be low but are often unknown. Atrazine that reaches below the rooting zone and persists in the underlying soil can subsequently be transported into ground water as soil water drains, typically after the growing season. A frequency analysis of atrazine concentrations in subsurface drainage, combined with field data, demonstrates the relative importance of critical transport factors and confirms a need for definitive estimates of atrazine-degradation rates below the root zone. The analysis indicates that periodic leaching of atrazine can be expected for this soil when rainfall that exceeds 20 cm/mo coincides with atrazine presence in soil.

ACS Symposium Series↗

USGS2009

Organic geochemistry and sources of natural aquatic foams

Aquatic foams and stream-water samples were collected from two pristine sites for humic substances isolation and characterization. Biomarker compounds identified in foam and stream humic substances included phospholipid fatty acids, steroids, and lignin. Results showed that foams had a 10 to 20 fold greater DOC concentration and were enriched in humic substances (90% by weight of DOC) that showed increased hydrophobicity, aliphatic character, and compositional complexity compared to host stream humic substances (55 to 81% by weight of DOC). Foam humic substances also were enriched in humic acid (36 to 83% by weight) compared to host stream humic substances (10 to 14% by weight). Biomarkers, which contributed less than 5% by weight to the DOC pool, indicated higher plants, bacteria, algae, fungi, and diatoms as DOC sources. It is proposed that aquatic foams may be important media for the concentration and transport of organic substances in the aquatic environment.

ACS Symposium Series↗