The process of atrazine degradation, its mechanism, and the formation of metabolites using UV and UV/MW photolysis

- Degradation mechanism process and metabolites/products using different energies.
- Photolytic oxidation of atrazine was studied using different energies.
- Degradation rates of atrazine were quantitatively better and more fast using UV/MW system.
- Degradation products, were identified using liquid chromatography and standard solution of the formed metobolites/products.

The photolytic degradationmechanism of atrazine using a UV reactor andUV/MW (electrodeless discharge lamp (Hg-EDL)) was investigated. After 120 s of UV photolysis partial degradation of atrazine had been observed and a subsequent formation of degradation products of atrazine-2-hydroxy, therefore, defining the path of atrazine degradation through UV photolysis. This system after 1200 s of exposure to UV radiation had not reached full degradation of atrazine, and its metabolite (atrazine-2-hydroxy), was the main by-product obtained for the process. When performing photolysis through the UV/Microwave combined methodcomplete atrazine degradation was obtained within a 5 s interval, besides the formation of five (5) degradation products, which are HAT, DEAT, DIAT, DEHAT and DIHAT. Therefore, defining the path of the photolytic degradation process through the UV/Microwave combined method. The total degradation of its metabolite (HAT) was observed for the period of 120 s of exposure to UV/MW radiation, and after that time there had been no signcorresponding to the respective compounds. The tests with the isolated microwave radiation were not efficient in the degradation of the atrazine and, therefore, the respective isolated energy is not applicable.The control of atrazine degradation and consequent formation of metabolites were accompanied by a high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV/Vis detector.

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