Electron beam induced degradation of clopyralid in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The degradation characteristics of clopyralid irradiated by electron beam (EB) was studied in aqueous solutions. The effects of factors, such as initial clopyralid concentrations, addition of radicals scavenger, initial solution pH and addition of H2O2, were investigated on clopyralid degradation efficiency and mechanism. It was found that the EB-radiolysis was an effective way to degrade clopyralid and its degradation rate decreased with the increasing of substrate concentration. In the investigated initial concentrations range of 100–400 mg L−1, the radiolytic degradation of clopyralid followed a pseudo-first kinetic order. The results from addition of radicals scavenger indicated that both •OH and e aq − played significant roles in the degradation of clopyralid. Furthermore, the alkaline condition and addition of H2O2 (<10 mM) in the solution also slightly enhanced the efficiency of clopyralid degradation. The ion chromatography analysis showed that some organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid) were formed, while the completely dechlorination of the substrate was achieved and organic nitrogen was recovered in the form of ammonium and nitrate ions during the irradiation process.