Photodegradation of the herbicide imazethapyr in aqueous solution: effects of wavelength, pH, and natural organic matter (NOM) and analysis of photoproducts

The photodegradation of imazethapyr, 5-ethyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydroimidazol-1H-3-yl)nicotinic acid, has been investigated in phosphate buffers and in buffered solutions containing natural organic matter (NOM). Imazethapyr degrades most quickly under 253.7 nm light and at pH values >4. The presence of NOM in solution caused the reaction rate constants for the photodegradation to decrease, with higher concentrations of NOM having a larger effect. Calculations suggest light screening is the major effect of the NOM. Seven photoproducts have been identified, and a photodegradation mechanism is proposed.