2-methyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid (Faulkner and Woodcock, 
1964, 1965). Studies with 4-(2,4-DB) showed that it is detoxified by 
Flavobacterium sp. (MacRae and Alexander, 1965), releasing chlorine and 
cleaving the ring (Burger et al., 1962). 
In natural surface waters, 2,4-D, its salt and i-propyl or butyl 
esters, were hydrolyzed by microorganisms to 2,4-D acid and the corre- 
sponding alcohol (Aly and Faust, 1964). Under the influence of ultra- 
violet, aqueous solutions of 2,4-D sodium salt gave rise to 2,4-dichloro- 
phenol, and subsequently to 4-chlorocatechol. Complete dechlorination and 
polimerization followed (Hansen and Buchholtz, 1952; Tutass and Crosby, 
1965). In the presence of riboflavin, compounds containing more than one 
aromatic nucleus were probably also formed in addition to 2,4-dichloro- 
phenol. Products differed according to the original pH and concentration 
of the treated solution (Bell, 1956; Hansen and Buchholtz, 1952). 
— ane es 
eet H20H 
0 
hy ey a i by ae a \ou 1-0-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy- 
Cl Acetyl) -B-D-glucoside 
Cl 
———$—-_____.soae 
Plants 
Achromobacter Oy 
Cl Silage Plants 0 
Decomposition 2,4-D 4 
; -CH5-C 
4-(2,4-DB) 2 4 0 
Cl ‘cH-c! 
| OH 
ou 
CH-¢ 
1 0 
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetyl - 
Aspartic Acid 
65 
