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Title: METHOD FOR EVALUATING SPRAY DRIFT USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

Author
item Elmore, Carroll
item Mulrooney, Joseph - Joe
item Smith, Lowrey
item STEELE, MARCUS - DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2000
Publication Date: 2/16/2000
Citation: Elmore, C.D., Mulrooney, J.E., Smith, L.A., Steele, M. 2000. Method for evaluating spray drift using atomic absorption spectrometry. Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. 53:174.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Determining spray drift requires a sensitive technique for evaluation. Graphite furnace technology on an atomic absorption spectrometer provides the required level of sensitivity when using the rare earth elements Rubidium and Cesium. These are detectable in the low picogram range (5 and 10 ug/L). Mylar sheets ( 5 by 5 in.) and soda straws were positioned down wind in a holder at canopy height at various distances fro the spray swath. The wind speed and direction were monitored at the time of each spray run. The spray solution contained either 200 g CsCl in 400 gal. or 25 g RbCl in 70 gal. The mylar sheets were collected and placed in a ziploc bag and the tracer solutes were eluted by washing with a dilute nitric acid solution. The soda straws were collected in screw cap vials and similarly eluted. The eluted solutions were run on a Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrometer equipped with a Graphite Furnace. The esensitivity was good enough to detect drift of Rb and Cs at a distance of 50 m in high drift situations. Not all spray efforts have drift of this magnitude. This is presented as a method of measuring drift in situations where environmentally benign substances are required for testing.