Measured and simulated behaviour of aldicarb and its oxidation products in fallow soils

Aldicarb and its oxidation product aldoxycarb (aldicarb sulphone) were applied separately to columns of fallow, sandy loam soils under field conditions. The breakdown and movement of these compounds were monitored, as was the behaviour of aldicarb sulphoxide and aldoxycarb formed by oxidation of the applied aldicarb. The behaviour of these compounds was simulated by a computer model using laboratory data for adsorption and rates of degradation in soil. The model simulated the observed behaviour reasonably well, although redistribution of chemicals was often more rapid than predicted. Production of aldoxycarb from the sulphoxide was less in the field than was expected from the laboratory incubations. Accumulation of chemicals near the soil surface in dry periods was overestimated, indicating that the processes occurring under these conditions are not well described by the model. About 4 months after application, only aldoxycarb, in small amounts, remained in the soils.