The methyl ester of oleic acid, a plant oil derivative, can be used as an additive oil for pesticides. We compared the biodegradability in soil of this oil with that of a mineral oil by means of laboratory experiments using lysimeters of 70 cm height x 20 cm diameter. The migration in soil of the oils and of the metabolites of the plant ester over 120 days was examined by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. The plant oil and its metabolites were completely degraded within 60 days, whereas degradation of the mineral oil required 90 days. The molecules did not migrate far into the soil and therefore presented no risk of contaminating groundwater.
Caproates Hydrogen-Ion Concentration