[Degradation of endocrine disruptor atrazine in drinking water by UV radiation]

The degradation of atrazine with low concentration in drinking water by UV radiation was studied. The main influencing factors and degradation mechanism of this technology were discussed. Experimental results show that the photolytic degradation of atrazine by UV radiation alone is very efficient. Under 205 microW/cm2 irradiation intensity, atrazine removal ratio is 92.38% after 120 minutes. The rate of photodecomposition in aqueous solution follows first-order kinetics. The removal ratio of atrazine can be greatly enhanced by increasing the intensity of UV radiation. The initial concentration of atrazine has no effect on the oxidation reaction. The organic matter and various ion in tap water will decrease the degradation rate. The primary degradation pathway is dechlorination. The reaction rate is high. The hydroxylated compound is the major intermediate product. Hydroyatrazine can be further decomposed by UV radiation and form dealkylated derivatives. But the rate of dealkylated reaction is very low. There is intimate relationship between the change of pH in the solution and the formation of intermediate products.