Gamma radiolytic degradation of heptachlor in methanol and monitoring of degradation by HPLC

Removal of known insecticide heptachlor (hptc) in methanol solution by γ-rays under varied experimental conditions has been optimized. air saturated solution of hptc was irradiated at γ-rays dose from 1 to 10 kgys. the extent of radiolytic degradation was monitored by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (hplc) coupled with uv detector. at dose of 10 kgys ≥98% of hptc was degraded. the degradation of hptc occurs by ch 3o• and •ch2oh radicals generated by methanol radiolysis. it is concluded that γ-rays can remove persistent organic pollutants (pops) form environmental matrices. it can decrease the harmful properties of these pops by their transformation into less resistant fragments to biological / natural elimination in the aquatic atmosphere.