Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma for Enhancing Soil Fertility and Pesticide Degradation

This study investigates the application of an Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma-based Dielectric Barrier Discharge (ACP-DBD) system, powered by a bipolar pulsed supply, for the dual purpose of degrading deltamethrin (DELT) pesticide residues and enhancing soil fertility. Electrical characterization was performed to assess plasma properties across different voltages and frequencies. Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) confirming the generation of reactive species such as atomic nitrogen, oxygen, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) [1]. Soil samples contaminated artificially with DELT were treated by plasma for different time intervals such as 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Pesticide degradation was validated through UV-Vis spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results demonstrated substantial pesticide degradation. Simultaneously, plasma treatment significantly increased the concentrations of key nitrogen species -nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), and ammonium (NH₄⁺) -improving soil nutrient profiles. Elemental analysis (XRF, XRD, ICP-MS) indicated enrichment in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese [2]. Morphological improvements in soil porosity and water retention were verified through FESEM and FTIR analysis. Overall, ACP-DBD plasma treatment emerges as a promising, sustainable strategy for pesticide remediation and soil fertility enhancement, offering a potential alternative to chemical fertilizers. The results of these efforts will be presented.