Degradation Products, Mineralization, and Toxicity Assessment of Pesticides Malathion and Fenitrothion
Authorized Users Only
2020
Authors
Pergal, Marija
Kodranov, Igor

Pergal, Miodrag M.

Gašić, Uroš

Stanković, Dalibor

Petković, Branka B.

Manojlović, Dragan

Article (Published version)

Springer Nature
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Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of this study was to investigate, analyze,
and compare applied techniques suitable for achieving
efficient removal of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs)
(malathion and fenitrothion) from aqueous solutions and
analyze the degradation products and processes. Pesticide
degradation efficiency (%) was monitored by highperformance
liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped
with a photodiode array detector (DAD), while mineralization
degree was determined by total organic carbon analysis
(TOC). Daphnia magna was used for screening the environmental
safety aspects of the degradation methods, i.e.,
for assessing the toxicity of solutions obtained after degradation.
Additionally, a surface river water was utilized to
examine the likely influence of organic matter on the
pesticides’ degradation. Pesticide degradation products
were identified using gas chromatography with a triple
quadrupole mass detector (GC-MS/MS) as well as
ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled... with
a linear ion trap, Orbitrap mass spectrometer (UHPLCLTQ
Orbitrap MS), and a simple pesticide degradation
mechanism is proposed. Removal of pesticides from water
using chlorine dioxide was successful, resulting in high
degradation efficiency (98% for malathion and 81% for
fenitrothion). Partial mineralization was achieved, and
Daphnia magna mortality decreased in the waters containing
degradation products (compared with the parent pesticides),
indicating that the solutions formed were less toxic
than the parent pesticides. Lower degradation rates (80%
formalathion and 72% for fenitrothion) in Sava Riverwater
were measured, indicating the influence of the organic
matter contained in this naturally occurring surface water.
The results prove that chlorine dioxide could be used as an
agent for successful removal of these OPPs from water.
Keywords:
Organophosphorus pesticides degradation / River water / LCOrbitrapMS / GC-MS/MS pathway / Degradation product and pathwaySource:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 2020, 231, 8, 433-Publisher:
- Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Projects:
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200168 (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry) (RS-200168)
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200007 (University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković') (RS-200007)
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200026 (University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy - IChTM) (RS-200026)
DOI: 10.1007/s11270-020-04800-x
ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932