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Fumigants and fungicides are effective at controlling soil-borne pathogens but might also adversely affect soil beneficial microbes, such as soil phosphorus (P) solubilizing microbes, further altering nutrient cycling processes. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the fumigant chloropicrin (CP) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (AZO) on soil microeukaryotes and P-cycling related soil bacteria through a greenhouse experiment. Soil microeukaryotic communities and bacterial communities containing two phosphomonoesterase encoding genes (phoC and phoD) were analysed using high-throughput sequencing methods. Results showed that, when applied at the field recommended application dosage, the fungicide AZO had no significant influence on the community structure of soil microeukaryotes and phoD-containing bacteria. However, in CP-fumigated soils, the soil microeukaryotic community composition changed from fungi-dominated to protist-dominated. CP fumigation significantly decreased the total phoC/phoD gene copy number but increased the relative abundance of some phoC/phoD-containing bacteria (such as Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces), which are significantly positively correlated to available P compositions in soil. The structural equation model (SEM) confirmed that CP fumigation could affect soil available P content directly by altering phoC-/phoD-containing bacteria, or indirectly by affecting phoC/phoD gene abundance and acid/alkaline phosphatases activity in soil. The inconsistent changes in phoC/phoD-containing bacteria, phoC/phoD gene number, and the phosphomonoesterase activities indicated that enzyme secretion may not be the only way for P solubilizing soil microorganisms to regulate P availability after soil fumigation. The outcome of this study can provide theoretical support for the design of soil beneficial microorganism recovery strategies and the regulation of phosphate fertilizer after soil fumigation., Fumigants and fungicides are effective at controlling soil-borne pathogens but might also adversely affect soil beneficial microbes, such as soil phosphorus (P) solubilizing microbes, further altering nutrient cycling processes. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the fumigant chloropicrin (CP) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (AZO) on soil microeukaryotes and P-cycling related soil bacteria through a greenhouse experiment. Soil microeukaryotic communities and bacterial communities containing two phosphomonoesterase encoding genes (phoC and phoD) were analysed using high-throughput sequencing methods. Results showed that, when applied at the field recommended application dosage, the fungicide AZO had no significant influence on the community structure of soil microeukaryotes and phoD-containing bacteria. However, in CP-fumigated soils, the soil microeukaryotic community composition changed from fungi-dominated to protist-dominated. CP fumigation significantly decreased the total phoC/phoD gene copy number but increased the relative abundance of some phoC/phoD-containing bacteria (such as Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces), which are significantly positively correlated to available P compositions in soil. The structural equation model (SEM) confirmed that CP fumigation could affect soil available P content directly by altering phoC-/phoD-containing bacteria, or indirectly by affecting phoC/phoD gene abundance and acid/alkaline phosphatases activity in soil. The inconsistent changes in phoC/phoD-containing bacteria, phoC/phoD gene number, and the phosphomonoesterase activities indicated that enzyme secretion may not be the only way for P solubilizing soil microorganisms to regulate P availability after soil fumigation. The outcome of this study can provide theoretical support for the design of soil beneficial microorganism recovery strategies and the regulation of phosphate fertilizer after soil fumigation.

BACKGROUND: Soil fumigation can change soil nutrient cycling processes by affecting soil beneficial microorganisms, which is a key issue for soil fertility. However, the effect of combined application of fumigant and fungicide on soil phosphorus (P) availability remains largely unclear. We investigated the effects of the fumigant chloropicrin (CP) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (AZO) on soil phosphatase activity and soil P fractions in ginger production using a 28-week pot experiment with six treatments: control (CK), a single application of AZO (AZO1), double applications of AZO (AZO2), CP-fumigated soil without AZO (CP), CP combined with AZO1 (CP + AZO1) and CP combined with AZO2 (CP + AZO2). RESULTS: AZO application alone significantly increased the soil labile P fractions (Resin-P + NaHCO3-Pi + NaOH-Pi) at 9 weeks after planting (WAP) but decreased the soil phosphatase activity at 28 WAP. CP fumigation significantly reduced the soil phosphatase activity but increased the proportions of soil labile P fractions (Resin-P + NaHCO3-Pi + NaHCO3-Po) to total P (TP) by 9.0–15.5% throughout the experiment. The combined application of CP and AZO had a synergistic effect on soil phosphatase activity and soil P fractions compared with a single application. CONCLUSION: Although AZO application and CP fumigation can increase soil available P in the short term, they might negatively affect soil fertility in the long run by inhibiting soil phosphatase activity. Soil microbial activities, especially microorganisms related to P cycling, may be responsible for the variations in soil P availability, but further research is needed.

Soil chloropicrin (CP) fumigation helps to increase crop yields by eliminating soil-borne diseases which inhibit plant growth. However, little is known about the effect of the CP fumigation combined with fungicide application on plant growth and nutrient uptake. In this study, we conducted a mesocosm experiment with six treatments: CK (untreated soil), AZO1 (a single application of azoxystrobin (AZO)), AZO2 (double applications of AZO), CP (CP fumigation with no AZO), CP+AZO1 (CP combined with AZO1) and CP+AZO2 (CP combined with AZO2) to investigate the effects of CP fumigation and AZO application on ginger growth and phosphorus (P) uptake. Results showed that a single application of AZO had no significant effect on ginger height, biomass and P uptake whether treated with or without CP fumigation, whereas double applications of AZO combined with CP fumigation significantly improved ginger height and the total amount of P in root (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, AZO residues were similar in all treatments with the same number of applications, with less than 50% remaining in the soil after 7 days applied, indicating that CP fumigation treatment did not influence AZO degradation in ginger cultivation. In addition, although the differences in P use efficiency observed across the different treatments were not significant, they nevertheless suggest that the P budget and soil microbial activity may contribute to those differences. Therefore, further studies should be done to link P cycling with microbial communities, and how these related to fumigation and fungicide application.

Purpose: Although soil fumigation efficiently controls soil-borne diseases, the effects of repeated soil fumigation on soil phosphorus (P) cycling are still largely unknown. Methods: In this study we conducted a field experiment to explore soil phosphorus availability in ginger fields with 0, 3, and 7 years (F0, F3, and F7) of annual chloropicrin (CP) fumigation history in Shandong Province of China. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected at four different times in 2019. Ginger yield, soil phosphatase (acid and alkaline) activities, and soil P fractions were measured. Results: Results showed that ginger rhizome yield was similar in F0 and F3 (70.0 t ha−1), but significantly lower in F7 (37.5 t ha−1). The acid phosphatase (AiP) activity was significantly higher in F0, while alkaline phosphatase (AlP) activity was the highest in F3. There was no significant difference in the available P (resin-P + NaHCO3-P + NaOH-P) between F0 and F7, with 33.6 to 57.5% of total P (TP), while the available P was significantly lower in F3, being less than 30% of TP. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the highest pH values in F3 contributed to the lowest soil P availability there. AiP activities showed highly positive effects on the soil labile P contents. Conclusion: Results suggested that more P fertilizers are needed after 3 years of CP fumigation to avoid soil P deficiency for ginger growth. The death of ginger became the main limitation for ginger production after 7 years of CP fumigation, at which time, comprehensive agricultural practices should be considered to control ginger soil-borne diseases.

Бойові отруйні речовини задушливої та подразнюючої дії були першим видом хімічної зброї, що застосована під час Першої світової війни. Основні отруйні речовини (задушливі — газоподібний фосген, рідкий дифосген; подразнюючої дії — хлорпікрин) поширювалися за допомогою газометів. Усі ці сполуки викликали тяжкі ураження органів дихання, шкірних покривів. Усього з квітня 1915 р. по листопад 1918 р. відбулося понад 50 німецьких газобалонних атак. У цей же період проти німецьких військ було здійснено 150 англійських і 20 французьких газопусків. Французькі війська 15 травня 1916 р. застосовували артилерію з сумішшю фосгену з чотирихлористим оловом і трихлористим миш’яком, хлорпікрином, а також суміш синільної кислоти з трихлористим миш’яком, чотирихлористим оловом у хлороформі (форма венсеніту). Хлорціан і синільна кислота — бойові отруйні речовини загальноотруйної дії. Вперше іприт як шкірно-наривна бойова отруйна речовина був застосований 12 липня 1917 р. під м. Іпр (Бельгія) в артилерійських снарядах. Застосування бойових отруйних речовин у Першій світовій війні викликало протест світової громадськості. Після закінчення війни за Версальським мирним договором (1919) Німеччині та її військовим союзникам було заборонено проводити дослідження, розробку і взяття бойових отруйних речовин на озброєння., Боевые отравляющие вещества удушающего и раздражающего действия были первым видом химического оружия, примененного во время Первой мировой войны. Основные ядовитые вещества (удушающие — газообразный фосген, жидкий дифосген; раздражающего действия — хлорпикрин) применялись с помощью газометов. Все эти соединения вызывали тяжелые поражения органов дыхания, кожных покровов. Всего с апреля 1915 г. по ноябрь 1918 г. прошло более 50 немецких газобаллонных атак. В этот же период против немецких войск было осуществлено 150 английских и 20 французских газопусков. Французские войска 15 мая 1916 г. применяли артиллерию со смесью фосгена с четыреххлористым оловом и треххлористым мышьяком, хлорпикрином, а также смесь синильной кислоты с треххлористым мышьяком, четыреххлористым оловом в хлороформе (форма венсенита). Хлорциан и синильная кислота — боевые отравляющие вещества общеотравляющего действия. Впервые иприт как кожно-нарывное отравляющее вещество был применен 12 июля 1917 года в г. Ипр (Бельгия) в артиллерийских снарядах. Применение боевых отравляющих веществ в Первой мировой войне вызвало протест мировой общественности. После окончания войны по Версальскому мирному договору (1919) Германии и ее военным союзникам были запрещены исследования, разработка и взятие боевых отравляющих веществ на вооружение., Chemical warfare agents with suffocating and irritating action were the first type of chemical weapon used during the World War I. The main toxic substances used by a gas projector were suffocating ones — gas-like phosgene, liquid diphosgene and irritating toxic substance — chloropicrin. All of these compounds caused severe damage to the respiratory system, skin. In total, from April 1915 to November 1918, there were more than 50 German cloud attacks. For the same period, 150 English and 20 French gas discharges were carried out against the German troops. French troops on May 15, 1916 used artillery with a mixture of phosgene and tin tetrachloride and arsenic trichloride, chloropicrin, as well as a mixture of hydrogen cyanide and arsenic trichloride, tin tetrachloride in chloroform in the form of vincennite. Cyanogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide — chemical warfare agents with general poisonous effect. For the first time, mustard gas as a blister agent was used on July 12, 1917 outside the town of Ypres in Belgium in artillery shells. The use of chemical warfare agents in the World War I caused the protest of the world community. After the war, according to the Treaty of Versailles (1919), Germany and its military allies were prohibited from researching, developing and adopting chemical warfare agents.

In 1917 the Bureau of Mines established the War Gas Investigations at American University, in Washington, D.C. This bibliography is a compilation of the technical reports and monographs produced in this effort. The reports were produced at the university during the time frame of 1918 to 1919, however, the date that this bibliography was compiled is unknown. It was made available for release in April 2015., Bibliography spans reports produced from 1918-1919. Actual date that this bibliography was compiled is unknown.

1. The Cost of Delaying Approval of Golden Rice.2. Managing International Migration in the Americas.3. Buffer Zone Regulations and Alternatives to Pre-plant Soil Fumigation: Using Steam in California Strawberry Production.

1. The Cost of Delaying Approval of Golden Rice.2. Managing International Migration in the Americas.3. Buffer Zone Regulations and Alternatives to Pre-plant Soil Fumigation: Using Steam in California Strawberry Production.

Nematodes interact with many other organisms as participants in several links of the soil food web, playing important roles in essential soil processes. Due to their high abundance and diversity of responses to soil disturbance, nematodes are suitable indicators of soil condition. With the aim of inferring soil fumigation effects on agroecosystem functioning, soil nematode diversity, soil properties, plant growth, and soil suppressiveness were monitored in a commercial strawberry farm and its surroundings for two consecutive growing seasons in southern Spain. Our results show that nematode diversity was low in fumigated soils throughout the whole season and, although yearly recovery occurred within the treated fields, fumigated soils showed a permanent perturbed condition. The nematode community was more closely associated to nutrient cycling in non-cropped than in cropped soils, and the link between plant biomass and nematode community structure was weak. Non-treated furrows within the treated fields were a reservoir of both beneficial and plant-parasitic nematodes, but such difference between furrows and beds was not enough to maintain more suppressive soil assemblages in the furrows. Treated soils were less suppressive than unmanaged soils, and there was a positive and significant correlation between soil suppressiveness and soil food web structure and diversity. © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS.

The California strawberry industry is highly dependent on soil fumigation to control soil pests and maintain high productivity. Plastic films are used to hold fumigants in the soil at the doses needed to control pests and to prevent the loss of fumigant. Totally impermeable film (TIF) was compared to standard film (STD) for the retention of soil fumigants. 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin concentrations under TIF were 46% to 54% higher than under standard film, and higher fumigant concentrations under TIF were correlated with higher strawberry fruit yields and better weed control. The results suggest that to achieve fruit yield and weed control similar to methyl bromide and chloropicrin, 33% less 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin is needed under TIF than standard films.

The California strawberry industry is highly dependent on soil fumigation to control soil pests and maintain high productivity. Plastic films are used to hold fumigants in the soil at the doses needed to control pests and to prevent the loss of fumigant. Totally impermeable film (TIF) was compared to standard film (STD) for the retention of soil fumigants. 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin concentrations under TIF were 46% to 54% higher than under standard film, and higher fumigant concentrations under TIF were correlated with higher strawberry fruit yields and better weed control. The results suggest that to achieve fruit yield and weed control similar to methyl bromide and chloropicrin, 33% less 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin is needed under TIF than standard films.

Density functional and MP2 calculations with extended basis sets were performed on the species participating in both the previously suggested and a newly proposed mechanisms of partial dechlorination of chloropicrin by simple sulfur species, both in gas phase and in a simulated water environment. Thermochemistry of both mechanisms in the gas phase was also studied using the chemical models G3 and G4. It is shown that the previously proposed reductive dehalogenation is not thermodynamically feasible at room temperature, as it should be according to the experimental evidence. Although inclusion of the solvent improves the results with respect to gas phase, the thermodynamics of the proposed mechanism by Zheng et al. is still unfavorable for obtaining the experimental products. An alternative mechanism is then proposed, involving the formation of HSCl, which is the intermediate that then undergoes redox reactions. Such a mechanism is exothermic and spontaneous, according to the computational results, and produces elementary sulfur in agreement with the experimental facts.

The phase-out of methyl bromide due to concerns regarding ozone depletion in the stratosphere has imposed the need of developing alternatives less aggressive to the environment. The use of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin (Pic) has extended in the last years, and has become essential to maintain strawberry production in Southern Spain, the main producer within the EU. However, their uncertain effects on the environment have become a new obstacle for their future use, and scientific evaluation of their toxicity is necessary to assess their impact on the environment. In this paper, we use the nematode assemblage as indicator of the effects of 1,3-D, Pic and 1,3-D + Pic on non-target soil fauna, and to infer their effects on soil food web functioning in two commercial strawberry farms in Southern Spain. Although affected, the abundance of bacterial-feeding nematodes did not differ among treatments due to compensatory growth of opportunistic nematodes. Fungal-feeding nematodes were strongly reduced by the fumigants, probably due to direct fumigants toxicity and to alterations on the fungal decomposition channel. Taxa richness and soil food web indices were also affected by the treatments. The ratio fungal to bacterial-feeding nematode abundances is proposed as the best indicator of the short and medium term effects of fumigants on non-target soil organisms. Implications of such findings on soil food web functioning and recovery are discussed. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A quantitative 13C NMR method has been developed for characterizing hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride, and phosgene, three Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 3 compounds in common use today. Towards this end, the 13C spin-lattice relaxation behavior (T1) of the compounds has been assessed at 75 and 126 MMz for temperatures between 5-15 deg C, holding them in their liquid states to dramatically improve detection sensitivity. The derived single exponential T1 values were used to derive relaxation delays for collecting quantitative 13C data sets yielding a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) exceeding that necessary for certifying the compounds at greater or equal 95 carbon atom % and 99% confidence. At 126 MHz, only a single data acquisition with a high-sensitivity cryogenic probe head exceeded the certifying S/N; however, for analysis at 75 MHz with a conventional probe head, greater or equal 5 acquisitions were necessary for phosgene, and greater or equal 12 acquisitions were necessary for the other two compounds. In terms of accuracy and execution time, the resulting NMR method rivals typical chromatographic methods., Prepared in collaboration with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Abingdon, MD.

Research aimed at finding alternatives to methyl bromide has tended to focus on strawberries, since this crop is the largest methyl bromide consumer in Spain, pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide, or with mixtures of methyl bromide and chloropicrin, are standard practices for controlling soil-borne diseases. Methyl bromide, however, has been phased out due to its environmental risks except for critical use exemptions. Soil fumigants were evaluated as alternatives for methyl bromide soil fumigation at two high-elevation strawberry nurseries in Spain. Strawberry plants produced at high elevation nurseries were evaluated for fruit yield at two commercial fruit production sites. All fumigation treatments had higher stolon production than plants grown in non-fumigated soil. The results indicate that pre-plant soil treatment with chloropicrin alone or 1,3-dichloropropene plus 35% chloropicrin could be potential alternatives to methyl bromide for soil treatment at high-elevation strawberry nurseries in Spain., El cultivo del fresón es un gran consumidor de bromuro de metilo para el control de los agentes telúricos de suelo. La fumigación del suelo en preplantación con bromuro de metilo o con mezclas de bromuro de metilo y de cloropicrina es una costumbre habitual en los campos de fresón. Sin embargo, su utilización ha sido prohibida, excepto para usos críticos, debido a los riesgos ambientales que conlleva. Se ensayaron varias alternativas al bromuro de metilo en dos viveros de altura del norte de España y las plantas producidas en estos viveros fueron evaluadas en dos localidades productoras de fresón. Los resultados indican que todas las parcelas fumigadas registraron un mayor número de plantas hijas que aquellas no fumigadas, y que el tratamiento en preplantación con cloropicrina, sola o combinada al 35% con 1,3 D, podría considerarse una alternativa potencial al bromuro de metilo en los viveros de altura.

Research aimed at finding alternatives to methyl bromide has tended to focus on strawberries, since this crop is the largest methyl bromide consumer in Spain, pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide, or with mixtures of methyl bromide and chloropicrin, are standard practices for controlling soil-borne diseases. Methyl bromide, however, has been phased out due to its environmental risks except for critical use exemptions. Soil fumigants were evaluated as alternatives for methyl bromide soil fumigation at two high-elevation strawberry nurseries in Spain. Strawberry plants produced at high elevation nurseries were evaluated for fruit yield at two commercial fruit production sites. All fumigation treatments had higher stolon production than plants grown in non-fumigated soil. The results indicate that pre-plant soil treatment with chloropicrin alone or 1,3-dichloropropene plus 35% chloropicrin could be potential alternatives to methyl bromide for soil treatment at high-elevation strawberry nurseries in Spain., El cultivo del fresón es un gran consumidor de bromuro de metilo para el control de los agentes telúricos de suelo. La fumigación del suelo en preplantación con bromuro de metilo o con mezclas de bromuro de metilo y de cloropicrina es una costumbre habitual en los campos de fresón. Sin embargo, su utilización ha sido prohibida, excepto para usos críticos, debido a los riesgos ambientales que conlleva. Se ensayaron varias alternativas al bromuro de metilo en dos viveros de altura del norte de España y las plantas producidas en estos viveros fueron evaluadas en dos localidades productoras de fresón. Los resultados indican que todas las parcelas fumigadas registraron un mayor número de plantas hijas que aquellas no fumigadas, y que el tratamiento en preplantación con cloropicrina, sola o combinada al 35% con 1,3 D, podría considerarse una alternativa potencial al bromuro de metilo en los viveros de altura.

The Royal Military Academy (RMA) of Belgium was requested by the Belgium Minister of Defense to study alternatives to destroy WWI chemical munitions in an environmentally safe manner (RMA Study F0016). The RMA arranged for DeMil International to ship one of its transportable Contained Detonation Chamber systems to Poelkapelle so that the RMA could evaluate its potential to destroy these munitions. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (ACE), (Huntsville, AL) Division and U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center provided technical assistance in this evaluation. The testing was performed from May - June 2001. Shells containing DA, HD, and CG were tested. Air monitoring technologies, including MINICAMS, the CC/MS equipped with a DYNATHERM Thermal Desorption Unit to analyze DAAMS, and the OPFTIR were used onsite during the experiment. Monitoring was applied at the exhaust vent, expansion chamber, detonation chamber, and the perimeter of the system. The CDC performed as designed to contain the blast and overpressure from the explosive treatment of chemical warfare agency (CWA) shells. Treating CWA shells using an oxygen-enriched 'sheet' high explosive was demonstrated; however, residual levels of CWA were observed in the detonation chamber, expansion chamber, and the ductwork leading to/from the bag-house.

[EN] A very intensive crop rotation, with three to four crops per year, typical in Valencia, frequently includes the earth almond Cyperus sculentus (Xufa) that acts as a real weed for the next crop. Methyl bromide (MB) is the preferred fumigant to control both diseases and weeds in this kind of rotation. The crop rotation begun by an escarole crop (September to January), followed by potato (February to May) and watermelon (May to August). Disinfestation treatments to compare were: 1) Non fumigated control; 2) Standard MB polyethylene (PE) 60g/ m2 ; 3) MB VIF 30g/ m2; 4) Solarization + Manure 5Kg/ m2; 5) Solarization + MS (N-Methyl Dithiocarbamate Sodic 40% p/v) 36g/ m2; 6) Telone C35 Mechanical application 40g/ m2; 7) Telone II (1,3-Dichloropropene 93%p/p)18g/ m2 + MS 108g/m2 All treatments are rather effective in controlling weeds when compared to the non treated control, the increase in cost of removing weeds is particularly high if none treatment is applied. Only the escarole crop suffered the attack of Scleotinia minar and treatments 2 and 7 gave a very good protection as is revealed by a low percent of debris. No specific pathogens were found in potato and watermelon crops, nevertheless grafting is confirmed as a very good technique that increases the yield of watermelon. Solarization treatments did not differ significantly from control in this experiment. Treatment 7 is as good as MB in sorne of the instances, but disinfestation with MB is absolutely necessary if non grafted plants of watermelon are employed.

[EN] A very intensive crop rotation, with three to four crops per year, typical in Valencia, frequently includes the earth almond Cyperus sculentus (Xufa) that acts as a real weed for the next crop. Methyl bromide (MB) is the preferred fumigant to control both diseases and weeds in this kind of rotation. The crop rotation begun by an escarole crop (September to January), followed by potato (February to May) and watermelon (May to August). Disinfestation treatments to compare were: 1) Non fumigated control; 2) Standard MB polyethylene (PE) 60g/ m2 ; 3) MB VIF 30g/ m2; 4) Solarization + Manure 5Kg/ m2; 5) Solarization + MS (N-Methyl Dithiocarbamate Sodic 40% p/v) 36g/ m2; 6) Telone C35 Mechanical application 40g/ m2; 7) Telone II (1,3-Dichloropropene 93%p/p)18g/ m2 + MS 108g/m2 All treatments are rather effective in controlling weeds when compared to the non treated control, the increase in cost of removing weeds is particularly high if none treatment is applied. Only the escarole crop suffered the attack of Scleotinia minar and treatments 2 and 7 gave a very good protection as is revealed by a low percent of debris. No specific pathogens were found in potato and watermelon crops, nevertheless grafting is confirmed as a very good technique that increases the yield of watermelon. Solarization treatments did not differ significantly from control in this experiment. Treatment 7 is as good as MB in sorne of the instances, but disinfestation with MB is absolutely necessary if non grafted plants of watermelon are employed.

[EN] A very intensive crop rotation, with three to four crops per year, typical in Valencia, frequently includes the earth almond Cyperus sculentus (Xufa) that acts as a real weed for the next crop. Methyl bromide (MB) is the preferred fumigant to control both diseases and weeds in this kind of rotation. The crop rotation begun by an escarole crop (September to January), followed by potato (February to May) and watermelon (May to August). Disinfestation treatments to compare were: 1) Non fumigated control; 2) Standard MB polyethylene (PE) 60g/ m2 ; 3) MB VIF 30g/ m2; 4) Solarization + Manure 5Kg/ m2; 5) Solarization + MS (N-Methyl Dithiocarbamate Sodic 40% p/v) 36g/ m2; 6) Telone C35 Mechanical application 40g/ m2; 7) Telone II (1,3-Dichloropropene 93%p/p)18g/ m2 + MS 108g/m2 All treatments are rather effective in controlling weeds when compared to the non treated control, the increase in cost of removing weeds is particularly high if none treatment is applied. Only the escarole crop suffered the attack of Scleotinia minar and treatments 2 and 7 gave a very good protection as is revealed by a low percent of debris. No specific pathogens were found in potato and watermelon crops, nevertheless grafting is confirmed as a very good technique that increases the yield of watermelon. Solarization treatments did not differ significantly from control in this experiment. Treatment 7 is as good as MB in sorne of the instances, but disinfestation with MB is absolutely necessary if non grafted plants of watermelon are employed.

This document describes the results of a study examining the environmental processes which effect of CNS tear gas and fate of the tear gas as it moves through soil. The study examines both the general properties of CNS tear gas as well as how these properties effected a CNS burial site at the Federal Laboratories No. 3 Plant near Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. The report also provides specific recommendations for remediating the Saltsburg site.

Current limitations on pesticides for managing prairie dog populations underscore the need for additional research on candidate compounds. I conducted this study to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two registered burrow fumigants (aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges) and three unregistered burrow fumigants (methyl bromide, chloropicrin, and a methyl bromide/chloropicrin mixture) for managing black-tailed prairie dogs. All five fumigants reduced burrow activity 94% to 97%, as measured by a plugged burrow technique. Total costs for materials and labor for the registered products, excluding application equipment, were nearly twice ($30.00 to $38.50) the cost of the unregistered fumigants ($15.25 to $16.25).

Current limitations on pesticides for managing prairie dog populations underscore the need for additional research on candidate compounds. I conducted this study to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two registered burrow fumigants (aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges) and three unregistered burrow fumigants (methyl bromide, chloropicrin, and a methyl bromide/chloropicrin mixture) for managing black-tailed prairie dogs. All five fumigants reduced burrow activity 94% to 97%, as measured by a plugged burrow technique. Total costs for materials and labor for the registered products, excluding application equipment, were nearly twice ($30.00 to $38.50) the cost of the unregistered fumigants ($15.25 to $16.25).

A proposed explosive containment system (ECS) is to be used for demilitarization of unmarked chemical munitions in the field. Input is needed for destruction of each of the possible agents that may be encountered. Therefore, a literature survey has been made of decontamination methods for the more common agents. Based upon this survey, recommendations have been given for the best methods of disposal for each agent.

Contents: An Historical Sketch of the Development of Edgewood Arsenal; Total Production of Toxic Material; Total Number of Shell and Other Containers Filled; Procurement of Raw Materials.

A modified form of the M-17 Protective Mask, called the E-13R13 Protective Mask, and equipped with the E-49 drinking and E-50 resuscitation devices, was tested on 6 volunteers for leakages in chloropicrin vapor. Six volunteers serving as controls wore the standard M-17 Protective Mask. All men wore the M-6 hood over the mask. Each exposure lasted for 12 to 15 min per day for 4 days. A variety of light exercises was carried out during each exposure. The subjects wearing the E-49 device connected the drinking tube to a canteen and drank water. After completion of this test the E-50 resuscitation device was connected to the mask, and a small rubber balloon was inflated. Three leaks were observed: two during connection of the resuscitation tube to the mask when the outlet valve was accidentally disturbed; the third leak was due to improper adjustment of the head harness on one mask. No control M-17 mask leaked.

The purpose of the research was to study methods for the vapor deposition of metals and metal salts into the pores of activated carbons, and evaluate properties imparted to the carbons for toxic gas removal by this method of impregnation. A successful method for the vapor deposition of copper within the carbon pores using copper acetylacetonate as the reactant was developed and samples containing 8%, 4%, 2% and 1/2% copper by weight were prepared using PCC grade CWS carbon. Tests were run on these samples to determine their characteristics. A technique was developed for the vapor impregnation of activated carbon with chromium trioxide through the ammonolysis or hydrolysis of chromyl chloride which had previously been adsorbed on the carbon. Samples were prepared by this method on carbons which had already been impregnated with copper. Analytical tests performed on the samples showed that chromium was present on the carbon in the +6 oxidation state and copper in the +2 state. The emission spectrograph analysis indicated the metals were present in the predicted concentration range. (Author)

The research was concerned mainly with the deposition of copper and chrome to produce an impregnated carbon with activity similar to that of an ASC wetlerite. A treatment was devised which gives vapor impregnated copper coated carbons HCl activity equal to or better than whetlerites. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms were performed on samples of plain PCC grade CWS carbons, 8% by weight copper vapor impregnated carbons and ASC whetlerite carbons, and pore-size distribution computations made to determine coating penetration. Concentration of impregnants was determined from emmission spectrographic analysis and X-ray diffraction patterns were run in an attempt to identify the chemical structure of the impregnant. Photomicrographs were taken of the carbons surface using the scanning electron microscope as a means to further determine coating distribution. A method was developed for depositing chrome as the metal in the pores of the carbon from dicumene chromium. Samples were prepared by this method and treated to oxidize the chrome. Samples were prepared containing copper vapor deposited from CuAA and chrome deposited from dicumene, and sent to Edgewood for CK testing. A method similar to that developed for vapor impregnation with copper was used to deposit platinum from platinum acetyl acetonate (PAA)., See also Quarterly progress rept. no. 1, AD861455.

This publication is intended to cover gas as a weapon in war, the resulting after effects, the humaneness of its use and casualties resulting from the use of gas in comparison with casualties from other weapons.