Degradation of Diuron was successfully accomplished by Cyanobacterial mats at low Diuron concentrations.
Kinetic studies indicated that biodegradation of Diuron was not reached due to possible acute toxicity at high
concentrations. Kinetic studies for Diuron indicate considerable degradation levels. Degradation of Diuron was
very fast at low concentrations and more pronounced at liquid media than at soil media. Kinetic studies indicate
that Diuron or its metabolite is still active even after 30 days of incubation. Diuron can be toxic to Cyanobacterial mats at concentrations above 0.22 mg/kg soil. It can be concluded that application of Cyanobacterial mats to soil containing low concentrations of Diuron could be degraded by Cyanobacterial mats within a period of time equivalent to 30 days.
These encouraging and promising results illustrate that Cyanobacterial mats can be used for bioreduction of soil and/or water pollution by herbicides.