Phototransformation of carboxin in water. Toxicity of the pesticide and its sulfoxide to aquatic organisms.

Sunlight exposure of aqueous suspensions of carboxin (1) causes its phototransformation to sulfoxide 2 and minor components. Similar effects are observed in the presence of humic acid or nitrate or at different pH values. Photoproducts 2-9 were isolated by chromatographic techniques and/or identified by spectroscopic means. Carboxin 1 and its main photoproduct sulfoxide 2 were tested to evaluate acute toxicity to primary consumers typical of the aquatic environment: the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus and two crustaceans, Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus. Chronic tests comprised a producer, the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and a consumer, the crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia.