This report presents the results of laboratory studies to quantitatively predict chemical and photochemical transformation rates and products of pesticides in water. It includes a general discussion of relevant transformation processes and associated kinetic expressions. The processes treated in most detail are hydrolysis, direct photolysis, and reaction with singlet oxygen. Implications of other processes such as oxidation and sensitized photolysis are also discussed. Results of detailed studies are included for the pesticides, malathion, carbaryl, methoxychlor, captan, and 2,4-D esters. The measured rate constants and half-lives indicate that chemical and/or photochemical processes of these compounds are likely to be important in the aquatic environment. Less extensive data is presented for the pesticides, atrazine, diazinon, parathion, and toxaphene, along with a discussion of available literature data.

Includes bibliographical references. "September 1976."