Methyl bromide and bromide-ion in drainage water after leaching of glasshouse soils

The concentration of methyl bromide and bromide-ion was determined in irrigation water, drainage water and surface water during the leaching periods of two glasshouse soils after application of methyl bromide. The maximum concentrations in drainage water was 9.3 g m^?3, and 72 g m^?3 for bromideion. These concentrations were determined within 24 h after the start of leaching. During the leaching procedure fish mortality was observed in the ditches around one of the glasshouses. The average half-life for the decline of methyl bromide in surface water under field conditions was calculated to be 6.6 h at a water temperature of about 11°C. Methyl bromide and bromide-ion concentrations were determined by gas chromatography.