The phototransformation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid under KrCl and XeBr excilamps irradiation in water

The effect of UV radiation of a KrCl and a XeBr on the photodegradation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) was studied. The main photoproducts were identified by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The variation of chlorine-ion and active chlorine in MCPA aqueous solution exposed to excilamp radiation was also defined by analytical methods. Irradiation of MCPA solution with a KrCl excilamp emitting mainly at 222 nm yield 2-methylhydroquinone and lactone of 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-chlorophenoxyacetic acid as the main photoproducts. Irradiation of MCPA solution with a XeBr excilamp emitting mainly at 283 nm yield 2-methylhydroquinone as the main photoproduct. Biological processes are not suitable for MCPA removal due to low or total absence of biodegradability of this class of pollutants. Estimation of biodegradability of phototreated MCPA solution was carried out according to ratios of biological oxygen demand (BOD5) to chemical oxygen demand (COD). The biodegradability of MCPA solutions increased after irradiation.

► MCPA rapidly phototransformated in water under KrCl and XeBr excilamps.
► 2-Metylhydroquinone is one of the main photoproducts of MCPA.
► Biodegradability of phototreated MCPA solutions increased.