Nitrate-induced photooxidation of trace organic chemicals in water

Abstract

The oxidation kinetics of butyl chloride, nitrobenzene, anisole, and methylmercury in the presence of hydroxyl radical (^<B>·</B>OH) scavengers were used to determine the rate and quantum efficiency for production of ^<B>·</B>OH from irradiated nitrate ions in water. The experiments were conducted under steady-state irradiations with monochromatic radiation (313 nm) and with sunlight. The mean quantum efficiency for ^<B>·</B>OH production at 313 nm rises from 0.013 ± 0.002 at 20 °C to 0.017 ± 0.003 at 30 °C in the pH range 6.2-8.2. Results of this study are used to estimate nitrate-induced photooxidation rates of trace organic chemicals under a variety of environmental conditions.