Role of eaq−, [rad]OH and H[rad] in radiolytic degradation of atrazine: A kinetic and mechanistic approach

Abstract

The degradation of atrazine was investigated in aqueous solution by gamma-ray irradiation. 8.11μM initial atrazine concentration could be completely removed in N2 saturated solution by applying 3500Gy radiation dose at a dose rate of 296Gyh−1. Significant removal of atrazine (i.e., 39.4%) was observed at an absorbed dose of 1184Gy in air saturated solution and the removal efficiency was promoted to 50.5 and 65.4% in the presence of N2O and N2 gases, respectively. The relative contributions of hydrated electron, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen radical toward atrazine degradation were determined as ratio of observed dose constant (kobs) and found to be 5: 3: 1 for keaq−: kOH: kH, respectively. The degradation efficiency of atrazine was 69.5, 55.6 and 37.3% at pH 12.1, 1.7 and 5.7, respectively. A degradation mechanism was proposed based on the identified degradation by-products by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Taking the relative contributions of oxidative and reductive species to atrazine degradation into account, reductive pathway proved to be a better approach for the radiolytic treatment of atrazine contaminated water.