Investigation of norflurazon pesticide photodegradation using plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that PD-TOFMS (plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry) analysis is a powerful technique for the in situ analysis of pesticides deposited or adsorbed on solid materials. With the aim of producing reproducible data on the modification of a pesticide under controlled photodegradation conditions, we have now undertaken a study where both the substrate and the pesticide are well characterized. This is the case for norflurazon deposited onto an aluminium substrate, in particular regarding the reproducibility of preparation of the samples and the change with time of their chemical composition. Degradation parameters have been derived from the variation in yield of ions representative of the molecule and of its breakdown products and, particularly, from the time required for 50% dissipation of their initial concentration (DT50). DT50 values ranging between 1 and 10 h have been found. An interpretation of the degradation process is proposed from the decay of other ions. As expected, the degradation is faster when the UV sunlight is unfiltered (a factor of 3.8 for the molecule, and around 5 for the breakdown products).