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Transformation of atrazine by photolysis and radiolysis: kinetic parameters, intermediates and economic consideration

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Abstract

Four techniques, UV254 nm photolysis, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV172 nm) photolysis, combined UV254 nm/VUV185 nm photolysis and gamma (γ) radiolysis were used to induce the transformation of atrazine in aqueous solution. The effects of dissolved oxygen (atrazine concentration 1 × 10−4 mol L−1 and 4.6 × 10−7 mol L−1) and matrix (high purity water/purified wastewater, atrazine concentration 4.6 × 10−7 mol L−1) and the electric energy requirements were investigated. The calculation of the energy input in cases of the photolyses was based on the lamp’s power. In radiolysis, the absorbed dose (J kg−1) was the basis. In UV photolysis, atrazine transforms to atrazine-2-hydroxy; this product practically does not degrade during UV photolysis; due to this reason, the mineralisation is very slow. This and some other products of atrazine decomposition degrade only in radical reactions. Dissolved oxygen usually slightly enhances the degradation rate. At 10−7 mol L−1 concentration level, the matrix, high purity water/purified wastewater, has not much influence on the degradation rates in UV photolysis and radiolysis. In the VUV and UV/VUV systems, considerable matrix effects were observed. Comparing the electric energy requirements of the four degradation processes, radiolysis was found to be the economically most feasible method, requiring 1–2 orders of magnitude less electric energy than UV/VUV, VUV and UV photolysis.

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Funding

This research was supported by OTKA, NK 105802. T. Alapi and K. Schrantz acknowledge the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Tempus Foundation for financial support (project number: 151955). K. Schrantz acknowledges the European Union and the State of Hungary, co-financed by the European Social Fund in the framework of TÁMOP 4.2.4. A/1-11-1-2012-0001 ‘National Excellence Program’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary

    Georgina Rózsa, Ákos Fazekas, Máté Náfrádi, Tünde Alapi & Krisztina Schrantz

  2. Radiation Chemistry Department, Institute for Energy Security and Environmental Safety, Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, Budapest, H-1121, Hungary

    Georgina Rózsa, Erzsébet Takács & László Wojnárovits

  3. Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Hochschule Furtwangen University, Campus Villingen-Schwenningen, Jakob-Kienzle Str. 17, 78054, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

    Andreas Fath & Thomas Oppenländer

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  1. Georgina Rózsa
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  2. Ákos Fazekas
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  3. Máté Náfrádi
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Correspondence to Erzsébet Takács.

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Highlights

• eaq− and H• contribution to the degradation in VUV photolysis and radiolysis is low

• The effects of matrix, pure water/purified wastewater, depends on the method used

• Based on the energy demand, radiolysis is the economically most feasible method

• Dissolved oxygen has small influence on the degradation in UV photolysis and radiolysis

•In UV photolysis, the mineralization is very slow

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Rózsa, G., Fazekas, Á., Náfrádi, M. et al. Transformation of atrazine by photolysis and radiolysis: kinetic parameters, intermediates and economic consideration. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 23268–23278 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05599-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05599-9

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