IDENTIFICATION OF DEGRADATION PRODUCTS OF THE AVICIDE 3-CHLORO-P-TOLUIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN LOUISIANA RICE FIELDS

An investigation of the mig ration of 3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochlori de (CPTH) on treated rice baits to soils in Louisiana rice fields was completed. The persistence of free CPTH in these soils was evaluated w ith field and laboratory experiments. These soils were also screened f or the presence of CPTH degradation products. Soils treated with CPTH- fortified rice bait and aqueous solutions of CPTH were exposed under a ctual field conditions for a 13-day period. Control soil samples were also treated with CPTH and incubated under simulated field conditions in an environmental chamber. Soil samples were then screened for CPTH residues and degradation products by HPLC. Possible degradation produc ts were identified with the assistance of LC/MS and GC/MS. The concent ration of 2% CPTH on treated rice baits placed in Louisiana rice field s decreased by approximately 55% over 3 days. Several CPTH degradation products were detected in rice field soils, treated with an aqueous s olution of CPTH, at concentrations too low for spectral identification . Multiple CPTH degradation products were detected in a laboratory soi l metabolism study including the previously unreported compounds, cis- and trans-azo-3-chloro-p-toluidine (azo-CPT). Neither azo compound wa s detected in soils collected from fields that were treated with CPTH rice baits.