Degradation of the persistent organic pollutant [14C]heptachlor in Japanese field soils.

The fate of [(14)C]heptachlor in Saitama soil and the degradation of [(14)C]heptachlor in four Japanese field soils over 112 d after application were investigated. Heptachlor was degraded mainly to cis-heptachlor epoxide by a biotic process and to 1-hydroxychlordene by an abiotic process in the field soils. Volatilization of heptachlor and cis-heptachlor epoxide from the soil was observed over the experimental period. The amount of 1-hydroxychlordene produced in the soils appeared to be related to the soil water contents. Because heptachlor and heptachlor epoxides are predicted to volatilize to the atmosphere and to persist in soils, these compounds are thought to spread among Japanese environmental compartments even after a ban on their use.