ABSTRACT
The isooctyl ester of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is released to the environment during spraying operations using herbicide formulations containing this ester or from spills. 2,4-D isooctyl ester enters the environment mainly through direct application as a systemic herbicide. 2,4-D isooctyl ester disappeared from soil after two weeks, though free acid could be detected up to six weeks after application. The adsorption of 2,4-D isooctyl ester followed Freundlich adsorption isotherm with adsorption constant much higher for soils with higher organic carbon than soils with high clay content. The isooctyl esters of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) appeared to be less volatile than the propylene glycol butyl ether esters; ease of hydrolysis was used to explain the apparent difference in relative volatilization rates. The isooctyl esters of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T appeared to be less volatile than the propylene glycol butyl ether esters; ease of hydrolysis was used to explain the apparent difference in relative volatilization rates.
