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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Commodity Protection and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304108
Title: Methyl bromide release from activated carbon and the soil/water/carbon interface

Author
item Hall Iv, Wiley
item Walse, Spencer

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2014
Publication Date: 8/10/2014
Citation: Hall Iv, W.A., Walse, S.S. 2014. Methyl bromide release from activated carbon and the soil/water/carbon interface. 248th American Chemical Society National Meeting. Paper No. 151.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Methyl Bromide (MB) is a major source of stratospheric bromine radical, a known depletor of ozone. The use of ozone-depleting chemicals, including MB, is regulated by the Montreal Protocol. Critical uses of MB are permitted, such as when postharvest fumigation is mandated by an importing country. Following chamber fumigation, MB can be captured by passing the ventilation effluent through a column of activated carbon (AC). The captured MB can then potentially be reused for pre-plant soil fumigation by burying the AC in the ground and allowing the MB to off-gas (i.e., depurate). The reuse of MB containing carbon in this manner would reduce total amount of MB released into the stratosphere and increase the carbon content of the soil, however, an understanding of the factors that affect the kinetics and equilibrium dynamics of MB release from the AC is critical toward successful application(s). In a preliminary series of batch isotherms, the headspace concentration of MB above soil / AC mixtures was examined as a function of soil moisture content, soil characteristics, and type of carbon. These results will be used to better understand how changes in equilibrium affect the kinetics of MB release from AC into the surrounding soil margins.