Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia

The degradation of organophosphate pesticides in aquatic ecosystems is influenced by various environmental factors. This study investigates the influence of nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate on the degradation of malathion, a commonly used organophosphate pesticide, in the North Oconee River watershed...

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Main Authors: Grace Stamm, Gayatri Basapuram, Srimanti Duttagupta, Avishek Dutta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-09-01
Series:Emerging Contaminants
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405665025000769
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author Grace Stamm
Gayatri Basapuram
Srimanti Duttagupta
Avishek Dutta
author_facet Grace Stamm
Gayatri Basapuram
Srimanti Duttagupta
Avishek Dutta
author_sort Grace Stamm
collection DOAJ
description The degradation of organophosphate pesticides in aquatic ecosystems is influenced by various environmental factors. This study investigates the influence of nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate on the degradation of malathion, a commonly used organophosphate pesticide, in the North Oconee River watershed in Georgia. Microcosm experiments were conducted to simulate environmental conditions and assess both microbial and non-microbial transformation pathways. Nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate were found to enhance malathion degradation through microbially mediated oxidative and hydrolytic pathways. The presence of mercuric chloride, which suppressed microbial activity, resulted in slower degradation rates across all conditions, underscoring the pivotal role of microbial communities in pesticide transformation. Non-targeted analyses identified key degradation products, including malaoxon, succinic acid, and diethyl succinate, primarily under nitrate and sulfate conditions, supporting the involvement of these anions in the degradation process. These findings highlight the complex interactions between nutrient dynamics and pesticide persistence, offering valuable insights for sustainable water management and pollution control in agro-impacted freshwater systems.
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series Emerging Contaminants
spelling doaj-art-ead0099c8ba84fa1afa122f20e05acd72025-08-20T03:49:56ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Emerging Contaminants2405-66502025-09-0111310054210.1016/j.emcon.2025.100542Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in GeorgiaGrace Stamm0Gayatri Basapuram1Srimanti Duttagupta2Avishek Dutta3Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USADepartment of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USADepartment of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Corresponding author.Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Savannah River Ecological Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA; Corresponding author. Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.The degradation of organophosphate pesticides in aquatic ecosystems is influenced by various environmental factors. This study investigates the influence of nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate on the degradation of malathion, a commonly used organophosphate pesticide, in the North Oconee River watershed in Georgia. Microcosm experiments were conducted to simulate environmental conditions and assess both microbial and non-microbial transformation pathways. Nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate were found to enhance malathion degradation through microbially mediated oxidative and hydrolytic pathways. The presence of mercuric chloride, which suppressed microbial activity, resulted in slower degradation rates across all conditions, underscoring the pivotal role of microbial communities in pesticide transformation. Non-targeted analyses identified key degradation products, including malaoxon, succinic acid, and diethyl succinate, primarily under nitrate and sulfate conditions, supporting the involvement of these anions in the degradation process. These findings highlight the complex interactions between nutrient dynamics and pesticide persistence, offering valuable insights for sustainable water management and pollution control in agro-impacted freshwater systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405665025000769MalathionWater qualityDegradationAnion-mediated transformationMicrobial inhibition
spellingShingle Grace Stamm
Gayatri Basapuram
Srimanti Duttagupta
Avishek Dutta
Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
Emerging Contaminants
Malathion
Water quality
Degradation
Anion-mediated transformation
Microbial inhibition
title Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
title_full Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
title_fullStr Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
title_full_unstemmed Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
title_short Anion-mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the Oconee River watershed in Georgia
title_sort anion mediated pathways in organophosphate degradation in the oconee river watershed in georgia
topic Malathion
Water quality
Degradation
Anion-mediated transformation
Microbial inhibition
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405665025000769
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AT srimantiduttagupta anionmediatedpathwaysinorganophosphatedegradationintheoconeeriverwatershedingeorgia
AT avishekdutta anionmediatedpathwaysinorganophosphatedegradationintheoconeeriverwatershedingeorgia