Photolysis of atrazine: Role of triplet dissolved organic matter and limitations of sensitizers and quenchers

Atrazine, a widely used herbicide, is susceptible to photolysis. The role of triplet excited states of chromophoric dissolved organic matter ((CDOM)-C-3*) in the photolysis of atrazine, however, is not well understood. The direct photolysis of atrazine under irradiation sources (natural sunlight/environmentally relevant simulated solar light) and its indirect photochemical reactivity with model triplet photosensitizers (benzophenone, 2-acetonaphthone, 3'-methoxy-acetophenone, 4-carboxybenzophenone, rose bengal, methylene blue, and anthraquinone-2-sulphonate) was investigated. The reactivity of the model sensitizers and DOM (Suwannee River natural organic matter, river/lake water, and wastewater effluent), were compared. The direct photolysis quantum yield was determined as 0.0196 mol Einstein(-1) in a solar simulator and 0.00437 mol Einstein(-1) under natural sunlight. Considerable photosensitization was induced by triplet state (n-pi*) model sensitizers, while insignificant effects on atrazine loss were discerned in natural organic matter even when oxygen, a triplet quencher, was removed. The triplet sensitizers benzophenone and 2-acetylnaphthone reacted with L-histidine and 2-propanol that were intended to quench/scavenge O-1(2) and hydroxyl radical (OH)-O-center dot, respectively, and benzophenone reacted with NaN3 as a O-1(2) scavenger and furfuryl alcohol as a O-1(2) trapping agent, indicating quenchers may have unanticipated effects when using model sensitizers. Atrazine loss via reaction with (DOM)-D-3* will be relevant only in selected conditions, and this work provides a more comprehensive view on the use of model photosensitizers to mimic triplet (DOM)-D-3*. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the photolysis of atrazine under different illumination conditions and its reactivity with model photosensitizers, revealing the significant impact of model sensitizers on the loss of atrazine. This work provides insights into the use of model photosensitizers to mimic triplet (CDOM)-C-3* and its relevance in certain conditions.