Degradation of atrazine by hydrolysis and by hydroxyl radicals

Rates of degradation of the triazine herbicide atrazine are reported, together with an analysis of the sequence of stages involved, using hydroxyl radicals generated by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of UV light and by the pure photochemical reaction. These conditions bring about the displacement of chlorine by hydroxyl, dealkylation of the alkylamino groups and finally deamination of the triazine ring. The significance of these results to water purification is discussed.