The advantages of liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection are described for the direct characterization of the photodegradation products of Fenitrothion, Atrazine and Diuron in distilled water and artifical seawater samples. The photodegradation (UV λ>290 nm) of the herbicides Atrazine and Diuron was examined in distilled water and in artificial seawater containing humic acids. Major photodegradation products were hydroxyatrazine and Monuron, respectively. The results showed a faster degradation in seawater as compared to distilled water for Atrazine whereas for Diuron a quenching effect was observed thus retarding photodegradation. The photodegradation of Fenitrothion was also investigated. For this pesticide, hydrolysis predominates in seawater and photolysis is very slow in distilled water, so that acetone was needed as photosensitizer.
KeywordsColumn liquid chromatography Diode array T/mass spectrometry detection Atrazine, Diuron and Fenitrothion Photodegradation studies in distilled water and seawater