Humic and Fulvic Acids as Specific Sorbents of Herbicides in Water

The ability of humic and fulvic acids (isolated from lignite with a simple, quick, and inexpensive method) to bind the active ingredients of herbicides contaminating drinking water is evaluated. During this study drinking water samples are contaminated with formulated herbicides (imazamox or a mixture of thifensulfuron methyl and tribenuron methyl), while humic and fulvic acids are used as reducing agents. The maximum reducing ability presented by humic and fulvic acids is 72.72% for thifensulfuron methyl and tribenuron methyl and 37.52% for imazamox. Humic acids' binding ability is superior to that of fulvic acids.