Degradation of Cyclohexanedione Oxime Herbicides

Abstract

The use of herbicides is the most common practice for weed control, not only in agricultural fields, but also in urban and industrial areas and communication routes. However, the growing number of detections of herbicide residues in different environmental matrices [1-5] has increased public concern about the widespread use of these compounds. In this sense, the European Union has developed a Community legal framework concerning the commerciali‐ zation of plant protection products on the market (Regulation EC No 1107/2009) and the sustainable use of pesticides (Directive 2009/128/EC) in order to protect human and animal health and the environment from possible risks associated with the use of pesticides. Both documents emphasize that pesticides and their residues shall have no unacceptable effects on the environment, having particular regard to contamination of water bodies as well as the impact on non-target organisms.