Soil, Water/Sediment Metabolism Studies for Agrochemicals

Soil, Water/Sediment Metabolism Studies for Agrochemicals

Sediments are an important component of the aquatic environment, involved in biogeochemical cycles and energy transformations. Soil, water and water/sediment metabolism studies of agrochemical are higher level biodegradation tests designed to simulate the natural environment in which the test substance is applied or enters. At BOC Sciences, these studies differ from most standard biodegradation studies based on their complexity and the necessity to obtain pathways through the identification of metabolites during the study.

Features of Our Services

• Our full-service approach includes on-site sample collection, data analysis, and superior customer service to ensure data quality goals are met and specific issues are addressed prior to sample analysis.
• Our experts can provide a complete approach for virtually any environmental project and clients, regardless of large or small.

Figure 1. Contaminants and residues of mycotoxins, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and brominated flame retardants can enter different environmental matters including water, sediment, soil, or groundwater by different pathways. (Lisa, K.; et al. 2019)

Soil Transformation Studies

Soil metabolism is an important study to determine the persistence of agrochemicals in the environment, because soil is abundant in microorganisms with P450 enzymes that have the unique ability to metabolize xenobiotics, including pesticides.

• BOC Sciences has decades of experience conducting aerobic and anaerobic soil metabolism studies using soils from diverse regions of the world in accordance with OECD Testing Guidelines.
• Endpoints include DT₅₀, DT₇₅, DT₉₀ along with the identity of any metabolites, and this information is used to propose metabolic pathways in soils.

Water/sediment Transformation Studies

Aerobic and anaerobic aquatic metabolism studies simulate natural environments, which are typically aerobic in the upper layers of water and often anaerobic under or near the sediment surface.

• BOC Sciences has leading experience in conducting these studies with the application of locally collected fresh and brine water and sediments using both EPA and OECD testing guidelines. In addition, we can procure water and sediment from other sources and foreign sources.

Aerobic Mineralization in Surface Water

The aerobic mineralization in surface water-simulation biodegradation tests are performed to determine the potential for persistence of the tested agrochemicals in natural waters.

• At BOC Sciences, the test is conducted in an environment with relatively low concentrations of the test substance compared to other soil and water/sediment tests. As with the soil and water/sediment tests, similar endpoints are determined and the major metabolites of agrochemicals and proposed pathways are reported.

BOC Sciences Advantages

• Highly specialized technical and analytical services for the worldwide registration and regulatory compliance of agrochemicals
• Robust analytical testing programs that span from research and product development through the production process to final product
• Relies on broad industrial experience, ensuring that all of our work meets the high standards expected by our clients
• Our regulatory experts, toxicology consultants, scientists and inspectors will ensure that you receive maximum levels of guidance, testing and inspection you need.

Reference

• Lisa, K.; et al. Agrochemical Soil, Water and Water / Sediment metabolism studies. Molecules. 2019. 24(4): 753.