Understanding atrazine elimination via treatment of the enzyme-based Fenton reaction: Kinetics, mechanism, reaction pathway, and metabolites toxicity

The degradation kinetics and mechanism of atrazine (ATZ) via an enzyme-based Fenton reaction were investigated at various substrate concentrations and pH values. Toxicological assessment was conducted on ATZ and its degradation products, and the associated reaction pathway was examined. The in situ production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was monitored within the range of 3–15 mM, depending on the increase in glucose concentration, while decreasing the pH to 3.2–5.1 (initial pH of 5.8) or 6.5–7.4 (initial pH of 7.7). The degradation efficiency of ATZ was approximately 2–3 times higher at an initial pH of 5.8 with lower glucose concentrations than at an initial pH of 7.7 with higher substrate concentrations during the enzyme-based Fenton reaction. The apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant for H₂O₂ decomposition under various conditions in the presence of ferric citrate was 1.9–6.3 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. The •OH concentration ([•OH]_ss) during the enzyme-based Fenton reaction was 0.5–4.1 × 10⁻¹⁴ M, and the second-order rate constant for ATZ degradation was 1.5–3.3 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. ATZ intrinsically hinders the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana, and its inhibitory effect is marginal, depending on the reaction time of the enzyme-based Fenton process. The ATZ transformation during this process occurs through dealkylation, hydroxylation, and dechlorination via •OH-mediated reactions. The degradation kinetics, mechanism, and toxicological assessment in the present study could contribute to the development and application of enzyme-based Fenton reactions for in situ pollutant abatement. Moreover, the enzyme-based Fenton reaction could be an environmentally benign and applicable approach for eliminating persistent organic matter, such as herbicides, using diverse H₂O₂-producing microbes and ubiquitous ferric iron with organic complexes.