The impact of prolonged use and oxidative degradation of Atrazine by Fenton and photo-Fenton processes

Abstract

The residues of atrazine were assessed in soil and groundwater samples. It was found in the range of 0.60–1.52 μgL −1 in groundwater exceeding the maximum permissible limits proposed by the US EPA. However, the concentration of atrazine (1.64–16.87 μgKg −1) analysed in soil was within the permissible limits. The degradation of atrazine was carried out using ultraviolet radiations (UV) only, Iron Chloride (FeCl 3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Fenton reagent, UV/FeCl3, and UV/FeCl3/H2O2. The photolysis of atrazine resulted in only a 42.57% decrease in the concentration indicating it as an ineffective treatment process. The removal rate of atrazine varied from 79.93% to 97.02 % using the photo-Fenton reagent and the maximum removal was achieved in 120 min. The kinetic study was also performed and the experimental results followed the Pseudo-first order kinetic model. The highest rate constant ‘k’ value was 0.018 min −1 which was attained in the case of photo-Fenton treatment process. In conclusion, the photo-Fenton treatment process was found the most efficient treatment process among all the treatment processes used in this study. The photo-Fenton treatment process can be efficiently applied to resolve the atrazine issue in soil and water.