Hydroxyl radical's role in the remediation of a common herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

The massive use of herbicides in the agricultural industry has led to measurable levels in natural bodies of water, many of which supply the human population with fresh drinking water. Advanced oxidation processes such as photocatalysis, sonolysis, and radiolysis show promise in eliminating the dangers of exposure to herbicides and the products of their natural breakdown. A basic understanding of the mechanistic details involved in the oxidative transformations remains the key for improving the effectiveness of the advanced oxidation processes. The role of the hydroxyl radical in the breakdown of the common herbicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), its breakdown product 2,4-DCP (2,4-dichlorophenol), and related compounds is elucidated through the determination of degradation rates, analyses of the transformation intermediates, and studies using computational chemistry methods.