Phototransformation of selected organophosphorus pesticides in dilute aqueous solutions

The photochemical transformation of four selected organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) has been studied in water. Because of their extensive use, disulfoton, isofenfos, isazofos and profenofos were chosen for this study. A solid phase extraction method has been developed to allow low-concentration experiments. Photolysis experiments have been performed both in purified water and in Capot river water (natural water from Martinique) using either monochromatic light at 253.7 nm (purified water) or polychromatic light greater than 285 nm (purified and Capot river waters). Kinetic investigations coupled with analytical studies (identification of degradation products) were performed for the four pesticides. Upon monochromatic irradiation, quantum yields of OP photolysis have been evaluated and in polychromatic irradiation experiments, apparent first-order kinetic constants have been determined. The reactivity is similar in purified and natural water, but differences are observed for each pesticide according to the role that natural organic matter (NOM) plays: filter effect of the light or photosensitizer. For each organophosphorus pesticide, experiments have been performed to identify the photodegradation products. Some photoproduct structures will be proposed according to mass spectral informations.