Methyl Bromide (MB) is a major source of stratospheric bromine radical, a known depletor of ozone.  The use of ozone-depleting chemicals, including MB, is regulated by the Montreal Protocol.  Critical uses of MB are permitted, such as when postharvest fumigation is mandated by an importing country.  Following chamber fumigation, MB can be captured by passing the ventilation effluent through a column of activated carbon. The captured MB can then potentially be reused for pre-plant soil fumigation by burying the AC in the ground and allowing the MB to off-gas (i.e., depurate).  The reuse of MB containing carbon in this manner would reduce to total amount of MB released into the stratosphere and increase the carbon content of the soil, however, an understanding of the factors that affect the kinetics and equilibrium dynamics of MB release from the AC is critical toward successful application(s).  In a preliminary series of batch isotherms, the headspace concentration of MB above soil / AC mixtures was examined as a function of soil moisture content (figure 1), soil characteristics, and type of carbon.  These results will be used to better understand how changes in equilibrium affect the kinetics of MB release from AC into the surrounding soil margins.

Methyl bromide release from activated carbon and the soil/water/carbon interface

248th National Meeting (2014)

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