Adsorption-desorption of Ivermectin in an agricultural soil in the province of Corrientes (Argentina)

Abstract

Ivermectin is widely used in human and veterinary medicine and can contaminate the environment. The degree of adsorption of this drug on soil particles varies considerably, as does its mobility. Adsorption-desorption in an agricultural soil was studied using discontinuous equilibrium experiments. The adsorption and desorption data were correctly fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms in a linear fashion (r > 0.994) and (0.988 < r < 0.997), respectively. An adsorption hysteresis phenomenon was observed, with values ranging from 0.24 to 0.37. Experimental results indicate that Freundlich sorption coefficient (KF) values for ivermectin ranged from 0.18 to 2.6 L g⁻¹ for adsorption and ranged from 0.61 to 0.90 L g⁻¹ for desorption.