Homogeneous catalyzed ozonation of simazine.: Effect of Mn(II) and Fe(II)

Simazine, [2-chloro, 4,6-bis(ethylamino)-1,3,5-s-triazine], a common herbicide typically found in surface and ground water was ozonised by using catalytic amounts of Mn (II) and Fe (II). An optimum value for metal concentration was found in the process. Some inhibition of the simazine degradation rate was observed when these metals were added above the optimum concentration. The pH of the reaction media played a significant role in the simazine oxidation rate. Thus, an increase in simazine conversion was observed when the pH was raised from 5 to 9. However, the catalytic effect of added manganese was neg ligible at the highest pH used in this study (pH 9). The beneficial influence of Fe (II) was also observed when utilising the combination of ozone and hydrogen peroxide. Contrarily, Mn (II) presented a negative influence on simazine conversion when using this oxidation technology.