Methyl Bromide (MB) is a major source of stratospheric bromine radical, a known ozone depletor. All but the most critical anthropogenic uses of MB, such as quarantine treatments in fumigation chambers to eliminate pests, are banned under the Montreal Protocol. Research has shown that MB emitted to the atmosphere following quarantine chamber fumigations can be recaptured by passing the effluent through a column of activated carbon. In this work, a sorbent column filled with activated carbons of various sources and preparation methods is used to trap MB vapors in simulated fumigation chamber evacuations. The MB impregnated carbon is then evaluated for potential reuse in pre-plant soil fumigations, particularly �nematode spot treatments� for replanting established orchards, which qualify as another permitted use. The sorption, desorption, breakthrough characteristics, and nematicidal activity of each carbon is reported. The correlation between the physicochemical characteristics of each carbon is discussed relative the efficacy of MB trapping and depuration /desorption.

Recapture and reuse of methyl bromide on activated carbon

245th National Meeting (2013)

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