A Comparative Study of Photo-Degradation of Atrazine in Aquatic Environments Using UV and UV/Fe (III)-TiO۲ Processes

A vast variety of pesticides are used for agricultural pests in Iran. The release of these persistent organic pollutants into water supplies leaves adverse effects on both the environment and public health. This study aimed to compare the photo-degradation of atrazine in the aquatic environment using UV and UV/Fe (III)-TiO۲ processes.The effects of parameters including pH, the initial concentration of atrazine, and reaction time on the removal of atrazine in the aqueous phase using ultraviolet radiation (۱۰۲۰ μW/cm۲) and UV/Fe (III)-TiO۲ were investigated. Residual concentrations were determined using HPLC. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۱۶) and the graph was made by MATLAB software.The results demonstrated that the atrazine removal rate in both processes was significantly increased in acidic and alkaline conditions. By increasing initial atrazine concentrations, the removal rate was increased in both processes as well. Data showed that at the lower initial concentration of atrazine (۰.۱ and ۱mg/l) the removal rate in UV/ Fe (III) - TiO۲ process was more than the UV process. However, at higher concentration, both processes were almost the same and the maximum removal efficiency (۹۹.۲% at UV and ۹۹.۱۱% at UV /Fe (III) - TiO۲) occurred at pH=۱۱, initial Atrazine concentration of ۱۰mg/L and the reaction time ۳۰ minIn conclusion, UV and Fe+۳-TiO۲/UV process was an appropriate method to reduce atrazine in contaminated water resources.

Keywords:

Atrazine , UV , UV/Fe (III)-TiO۲ , Photodegradation