Purpose

Broflanilide (BFL) is a new type of pesticide with broad prospects. However, it is not yet fully understood. With its wide application in the paddy field, it might pose a threat to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to research its environmental behaviors including adsorption-desorption and leaching behaviors in the soil to evaluate its risks on that basis.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were obtained from the farmland surface layer in four different regions of China. Adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted according to the equilibrium oscillation method and OECD guidelines. Leaching experiments were designed on the basis of the OECD guidelines. Based on the guidelines of CIPAC, the proposed method was verified and calibrated. BFL residue was analyzed using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS.

Results and discussion

The Freundlich model was used to fit the BFL’s adsorption-desorption parameters in all soil samples with adsorption constant of BFL ranging from 0.152 to 5.017. The decreasing trends of the BFL adsorption capacity are Phaeozems > > Anthrosols > Gleysols > Luvisols. A linear positive correlation of BFL’s Freundlich desorption and adsorption between organic matter content (R² = 0.893 and 0.851) and soil clay content (R² = 0.765 and 0.686). Nevertheless, nonsignificant relationships (R² = 0.428 and 0.384) between the BFL parameter and the cation exchange capacity of soils were observed. Moreover, soil pH exhibits negative relationships (R² = 0.095 and 0.089) with BFL’s adsorption and desorption constants. Furthermore, either above or below 287 K reduced the adsorption capacity of BFL by soil. The leaching of BFL in Anthrosols, Gleysols, and Luvisols was easy, while difficult for Phaeozems.

Conclusion

Except for Phaeozems which contain high organic matter, BFL posed threats to groundwater and surface water owing to their either intermediate or high mobility within the soils in the agriculture system.