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Title: Photochemical formation of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ in natural waters exposed to sunlight

Journal Article · · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00175a004· OSTI ID:6211279

Hydrogen peroxide is formed in most natural waters when they are exposed to sunlight. The rate at which H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ accumulates is related to the concentration of light-absorbing (>295 nm) organic substances in these waters. The photochemical accumulation rate of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ in sunlight has been measured for several surface waters and ground waters and was found to be 2.7 /times/ 10/sup /minus/7/ to 48 /times/ 10/sup /minus/7/ mol L/sup /minus/1/ h/sup /minus/1/, in waters ranging from 0.53 to 18 mgL/sup -1/ dissolved organic carbon (DOC), respectively. These rates were determined in midday sunlight, 0.4 W m/sup /minus/2/ (295-385 nm), latitude 24.3/degrees/ N. Apparent quantum yields of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ have been determined for natural waters at different wavelengths. These quantum yields decreased with increasing wavelength, from 10/sup /minus/3/ in the near-ultraviolet to 10/sup /minus/6/ in the visible spectral range. The quantum yields have been used in a photochemical model to calculate H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ accumulation rates of natural water samples. Model calculations agree with H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ accumulation rates obtained from exposing three different water samples to sunlight.

Research Organization:
Florida International Univ., Miami (USA)
OSTI ID:
6211279
Journal Information:
Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 22:10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English