Compound Specific Isotope Analysis of Atrazine During Mineralisation

Simazine, [2-chloro-4,6-di(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine] and Atrazine, [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine] are s-triazine herbicides used for post or pre-emergent control of broad leaf and grassy weeds. They are the third and second most widely used pesticides in Australia, respectively. Due to their frequent detection in ground, surface and drinking water it is vital to find progressive methods to monitor the chemicals fate in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for carbon isotope fractionation of s-triazines using Simazine as a model compound. Three microbially active South Western Australian sands were chosen as a medium for in vitro aerobic degradation of Simazine. The in vitro degradation of Simazine induced small isotopic shifts in a peaty sand, pasture sand and a bluegum plantation sand . These results imply that degradation of Simazine in soils can produce 13C/12C isotope fractionation and may be useful for application in qualitative or quantitative assessment of its origin and attenuation.

Personnel

C. Hinz, P. Chau, K. Grice, S. Fisher

Funding

Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry

Collaborators

University of Western Australia