Degradation of Terbutol in Soils from Turfgrass and Drainage Basins on Golf Courses

Degradation of terbutol (2,6-di- tert -butyl-4-methylphenyl N -methylcarbamate) in soils from turfgrass ( Zoisia japonica ) and drainage basins on golf courses was investigated. Terbutol was decomposed in soils from turfgrass by 50% after 180 days, whereas decomposition in soils from drainage basins was 50% after 360 days. In soils autoclaved at 120 °C for 20 min or with reduced oxygen supplement, the rates of terbutol degradation decreased markedly. Degradation of terbutol results in the oxidation of the 4-methyl group, N-demethylation, and hydrolysis of the carbamate ester linkage. The major degradation products were 4-COOH-, NH 2 -, and 4-COOH-NH 2 -terbutol, BHT, and 4-COOH-BHT. Only trace amounts of oxidative intermediates of the 4-methyl group of terbutol and BHT were detected.