A gold electrode was used for the qualitative and quantitative electrochemical determination of analytical methomyl in a neutral electrolyte (0.050 M NaHCO 3 ) using cyclic linear sweep voltammetry. In the potential range from -800 mV vs. SCE to 1000 mV vs. SCE the analytical methomyl was quantitatively determined in the concentration range 4.0-16 mg L -1 . In the potential range from -1300 mV vs. SCE to 1300 mV vs. SCE, methomyl was qualitatively determined by two anodic and four cathodic reactions. Cycling the potential in this range for 150 min caused the degradation of the molecule, which was confirmed by HPLC analysis. On the other hand, technical methomyl exhibited an inhibition of the gold electrode surface due to the impurities.

Environment friendly iron catalysts were applied in the decomposition reactions of some toxic compounds like phenol, methomyl and corbofuran pesticide. The applied catalytic processes belong to photo-Fenton reactions. Heterogeneous iron catalysts showed significant activity in phenol and methomyl conversion, however, these catalysts were completely inactive in destruction of carbofuran molecule, even in the catalytic reaction promoted with UV light at high temperature

Article Highlights • Nicosulfuron was subjected to different Fenton reactions at the pH of a nicosulfuron aqueous solution • The Fenton reaction was much faster and more efficient than the Fenton-like reaction • The photo-Fenton reaction proceeded much faster and more efficient than the Fenton reaction • The MW-Fenton reaction proceeded with increased efficiency in comparison to the Fenton reaction • The toxicity tests showed the decrease in toxicity after the treatment Abstract Nicosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, was subjected to different Fenton reactions at pH of a nicosulfuron aqueous solution (pH 5). Usually, the optimal pH for the Fenton reaction is between 3 and 4, but the addition of acids is not environmentally acceptable. This is the reason why the reactions were performed at a higher pH value than usual. So, classical Fenton and Fenton-like reactions were applied as well as photo-Fenton and photo-Fenton-like reactions. In addition, microwave Fenton and Fenton-like reactions were used in nicosulfuron degradation. Influences of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ concentrations, as well as hydrogen peroxide concentrations, were studied. The Fenton reaction was much faster and more efficient than the Fenton-like reaction, while the photo-Fenton reaction proceeded much faster and more efficiently than the Fenton reaction. The microwave-Fenton and microwave-Fenton-like reactions proceeded with increased efficiency in comparison to the Fenton and Fenton-like reactions. The phytotoxicity and acute toxicity of the reaction products of nicosulfuron oxidation by the photo-Fenton reaction were analyzed. The toxicity testing of nicosulfuron treatment by photo-Fenton process showed a decrease in phytotoxicity, while the acute toxicity tests showed that the samples after treatment had lower toxicity.