Enhanced dissipation of azoxystrobin in loam soil under direct sunlight exposure

While the impact of solar radiation on azoxystrobin degradation is known, the influence of temperature fluctuations on this process remains poorly understood. This study investigates the factors influencing azoxystrobin dissipation in soil, with a particular focus on the impact of solar radiation and temperature variations on photodegradation kinetics. Our objective was to assess, for the first time, the influence of temperature fluctuations on azoxystrobin photodegradation kinetics in loam soil. High-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to analyze dissipation rates under sunlight and dark conditions, with a quantitation limit of 0.05 mg/kg. Sampling intervals of 0, 1, 7, 15, 21, and 28 days were employed during incubation. Azoxystrobin dissipation rates were determined using first-order kinetic modeling. Results indicate a significantly accelerated dissipation rate under sunlight conditions (0.2018/day, t ½ = 3.4 days) compared to darkness (0.0912/day, t ½ = 7.6 days), highlighting the substantial impact of photodegradation and temperature fluctuations. These findings provide novel insights into azoxystrobin behavior in agricultural soils, enabling more accurate risk assessments and the development of targeted mitigation strategies to protect ecosystems from pesticide contamination.