Comparison of the adsorption of carbofuran at the silica–liquid and liquid–vapour interfaces

The adsorption processes of carbofuran from an aqueous solution have been determined at the solid–liquid interface, onto silica and at liquid–vapour interfaces. At the solid–liquid interface, the adsorption isotherms and their evolution with temperature reveal that adsorption is generally weak but increases with temperature. Adsorption also significantly increases with concentration when the solubility limit is approached. The study at the liquid–vapour interface reveals that adsorption at this interface is 70 times larger than at the solid–liquid interface. Again, adsorption values at the liquid–vapour interface increase with temperature (below 30°C) and near the solubility limit. Consequences of the observations on the behaviour of carbofuran in the environment are discussed. © 1998 SCI