The degradation of oxadiazon and oxyfluorfen by photolysis
Abstract The photodegradation of two herbicides oxadiazon and oxyfluorfen on soil and in water has been studied. Photolysis of each herbicide was conducted on soil TLC plates and also in Milli‐Q water using borosilicate flasks. Photoproducts were isolated from the water using C18 cartridges. Identification of the photoproducts from each herbicide was made using GC‐MS. Three photoproducts were isolated following irradiation of oxadiazon and the fragmentation pattern indicated loss of chlorine was the dominant process. In the case of oxyfluorfen the photoproducts found showed the loss of the nitro group, dechlorination and cyclisation were the predominant processes during photolysis. The half‐lives of each herbicide were significantly shorter in water than on soil.