Characterization of fate and transport of isoxaflutole, a soil-applied corn herbicide, in surface water using a watershed model

The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the transport of isoxaflutole and RPA 202248 and their accumulation potential in semistatic water bodies, using a distributed watershed scale model and observed water quality data. A conceptual model was developed to characterize the fate and transport of isoxaflutole residues to and in surface water. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), a continuous daily time-step watershed model, was used to simulate the processes identified in the conceptual model. Monitoring data were available for a number of surface water bodies within the major product use area as a result of extensive and intensive residue monitoring. Detailed product use information at the zip-code level was obtained through dealer sales and a grower survey. The hydrologic and chemical transport results from the SWAT model were validated by comparison to available monitoring data from selected water bodies. Upon validation, the model was used to simulate the fate of isoxaflutole-derived residues in the water bodies using long-term historical weather data. The results from this investigation indicate no evidence of long-term accumulation of isoxaflutole and its metabolite RPA 202248 in semistatic water bodies.