UV irradiation of atrazine in aqueous fulvic acid solution

Abstract

The photochemical stability to ultraviolet (UV) radiation of atrazine in aqueous solution was greater in the presence of fulvic acid than in its absence. The half‐life of atrazine in aqueous fulvic acid solution was greater at low than at high pH. The photolysis followed first order kinetics with respect to herbicide concentrations. The photolysis of atrazine in water yielded the 2‐hydroxy analogue only, but when the herbicide was treated similarly in the presence of a 0.01 percent fulvic acid solution, three N‐dealkylated products were also formed.