Monitoring aldicarb residues in Florida soil and water

Soil and water monitoring studies have been conducted to characterize the movement of aldicarb residues in Florida citrus groves. Samples were taken in 1980 and 1981 from TEMIK-treated groves on six farms located in five counties. In the soil, aldicarb residues decay rapidly to relatively nontoxic compounds. No significant concentrations of aldicarb were found in potable wells or in surface water around the six sampling sites. The monitoring results have been compared with the predictions of the Environmental Protection Agency computer model PESTAN. These calculations indicate that only a small fraction (< 1%) of the aldicarb applied to a Florida citrus grove during the spring flush (the required application period) would normally reach shallow groundwater. The monitoring data and model calculations demonstrate that the use of TEMIK in Florida citrus groves will not result in persistent aldicarb residues in Florida groundwater.