Résumé
This article gives an overview of the different analytical approaches for carrying out pesticide degradation studies in waters by means of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The degree of mineralization achieved under AOPs and the identity of by-products of a large number of compounds belonging to the major pesticide families, triazines, phenoxyacids, and organophosphorus compounds, are presented. Critical comments are aimed at emphasizing the lack of suitable analytical methods in order to both follow the kinetics of formation and disappearance of by-products and identify their chemical structures. More particularly the crucial role of gas chromatography and liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry is stated.