The article presents the behavior of phenoxy acids in water, the levels in aquatic ecosystems, and their transformations in the
water environment. Phenoxy acids are highly soluble in water and weakly absorbed in soil. These highly mobile compounds are
readily transported to surface and groundwater. Monitoring studies conducted in Europe and in other parts of the world indicate
that the predominant phenoxy acids in the aquatic environment are mecoprop, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA),
dichlorprop, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and their metabolites which are chlorophenol derivatives. In water, the
concentrations of phenoxy acids are effectively lowered by hydrolysis, biodegradation, and photodegradation, and a key role is
played by microbial decomposition. This process is determined by the qualitative and quantitative composition of microorganisms, oxygen levels in water, and the properties and concentrations of phenoxy acids. In shallow and highly insolated waters,
phenoxy acids can be decomposed mainly by photodegradation whose efficiency is determined by the form of the degraded
compound. Numerous studies are underway on the use of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to remove phenoxy acids. The
efficiency of phenoxy acid degradation using AOPs varies depending on the choice of oxidizing system and the conditions
optimizing the oxidation process. Most often, methods combining UV radiation with other reagents are used to oxidize phenoxy
acids. It has been found that this solution is more effective compared with the oxidation process carried out using only UV.