Role of eaq⁻, ·OH and H· in radiolytic degradation of atrazine: a kinetic and mechanistic approach.
The degradation of atrazine was investigated in aqueous solution by gamma-ray irradiation. 8.11 μM initial atrazine concentration could be completely removed in N₂ saturated solution by applying 3500 Gy radiation dose at a dose rate of 296 Gy h(-1). Significant removal of atrazine (i.e., 39.4%) was observed at an absorbed dose of 1184 Gy 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(-): k·OH: 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.
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan. Electronic address: javed_chemistry@yahoo.com.
Javed Ali
JA
Khan
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan; Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Swat, Swat 19130, Pakistan.
Noor S
NS
Shah
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
Shah
S
Nawaz
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
M
M
Ismail
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan.
Faiza
F
Rehman
Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan. Electronic address: hmkhan@upesh.edu.pk.
Hasan M
HM
Khan
D001280:Atrazine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D011522:Protons; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D018508:Water Purification; D014965:X-Rays
D006540:Herbicides; D011522:Protons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D001280:Atrazine
Atrazine; Mechanism; Water treatment; pH; γ-Irradiation