The fate of triazine pesticides in River Po water

A group of triazine herbicides has been monitored in river Po water over a period of three years. The N-deethylated metabolite of atrazine was also found. Laboratory tests of biodcgradation of triazine performed with River Po water as cultural medium did not show any significant triazine degradation, leading to the conclusion that triazine metabolites derive from de.~-adation in soil. The chemical reactivity of triazines toward oxidants was also tested in laboratory with lead(IV) acetate, cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate and ozone. A chemical degradation pathway for triazines is suggested.