Degradation of terbutryn in sediments and water under various redox conditions

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted to examine the degradation of terbutryn [2‐(t‐butylamino)‐4‐(ethylamino)‐6‐(methylthio)‐s‐triazine] in sediment and water under different redox conditions. Terbutryn degraded slowly in static aerobic systems (loosely capped flask, 25°C) with half‐lives of 240 and 180 days in pond and river sediment, respectively. Degradation products, identified by co‐chromatography on TLC and HPLC systems, included hydroxy‐terbutryn, terbutryn‐sulfoxide and N‐deethyl terbutryn. Hydroxyterbutryn was the major degradation product in sediments and water representing 60–70% of the extractable radioactivity after 515 days incubation. Under nitrogen aeration in respirometer flasks (redox potential ‐46 to +210 mv) degradation of terbutryn was very slow with half lives greater than 650 days.