PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF ATRAZINE AND OTHER S-TRIAZINE HERBICIDES

The photocatalytic degradation of s-triazine herbicides (atrazine, simazine, trietazine, prometon, and prometryn) has been investigated by using particulate TiO2 as photocatalyst under simulated solar light. The herbicides are rapidly degraded. Traces of atrazine (at ppb level) are decomposed in very short times to less than 0.1 ppb, but full mineralization of the herbicides is not observed. Degradation products have been monitored through liquid, gas, and ion chromatography, and the overall degradation process has been monitored through dissolved and particulate organic carbon measurements. Several intermediates have been identified, and cyanuric acid has been recognized as the final product of the degradation process for all the investigated herbicides. A proposal mechanism of the process is presented. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.