Methods to Determine Sorption of Pesticides and Other Organic Compounds

This chapter describes how the degree of rigor required in the characterization of sorption depends on the accuracy that is required for the intended use. In order to know how the sorption process interacts with other process, the sorption mechanisms and factors influencing sorption must be known. For this purpose, rigorous sorption studies under specific experimental conditions are valuable for the understanding of sorption in the field. With this in mind, research directed to elucidate the relative contribution of the various soil constituents (not just as isolated components, but when associated into organomineral complex particles) to the sorptive properties of soils is needed. Sorption characterization experiments directed to improve the understanding of hysteric and kinetic behavior of organic compounds in soil, in particular for aged residues, are also needed. Nevertheless, many environmental quality applications require only approximate estimates of sorption. In these cases, simplifying assumptions in sorption characterization or indirect estimates of sorption may be acceptable.