Efficient Atrazine Degradation and Toxicity Assessment Using ZnO-Cerium Catalysts: A Path Towards Environmental Remediation

Abstract Atrazine, a widely used chlorinated pesticide, poses a significant threat to the environment due to its persistence and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of various catalysts in the photocatalytic degradation of atrazine and assessed the toxicity of the degradation products on the nematode Panagrellus redivivus . Our research aimed to shed light on the environmental fate of atrazine and the potential hazards associated with its degradation. We synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) catalysts doped with cerium (Ce) at different concentrations (ZnOCe1% and ZnOCe10%) and compared their performance to direct UV photolysis. The results demonstrated that ZnOCe1% and ZnOCe10% exhibited superior catalytic efficiency in degrading atrazine compared to pure ZnO and photolysis. The degradation of atrazine led to a reduction in mortality rates of P. redivivus to negligible levels, indicating a potential mitigation of toxicity. Furthermore, we evaluated the toxicity of atrazine and its degradation intermediates on P. redivivus . Interestingly, we found that the toxicity of atrazine followed a hump-shaped dose-response curve, suggesting that even low concentrations of atrazine can have significant adverse effects. Additionally, the formation of intermediates during photocatalysis produced varying toxic effects, with ZnO-mediated intermediates showing more pronounced toxicity, as evidenced by reduced body sizes and impaired behavior. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the dynamics of atrazine toxicity, the efficiency of catalysts in its degradation, and the potential hazards posed by degradation intermediates. Our study contributes to the broader field of environmental contamination and toxicology, highlighting the need for continued research on the fate and effects of atrazine in the environment.