Photolysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on simulated atmospheric particulates

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00140a020· OSTI ID:5533773

Behymer, T D; Hites, R A

Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) adsorbed on silica gel, alumina, fly ash, and carbon black were photolyzed in order to study their atmospheric fate. Photolytic half-lives for these particle-bound PAH were found to be highly dependent on the substrate to which they were adsorbed. On silica gel and alumina, PAH showed a wide range of photolytic half-lives, indicating a relationship between structure and photochemical reactivity. However, PAH on environmental substrates such as fly ash and carbon black show similar half-lives for most PAH, indicating a photolytic process that is independent of structure and dependent on the physical and chemical nature of the substrate. In fact, fly ash and carbon black appear to stabilize some PAH; this would facilitate their transport from combustion sources through the atmosphere.

• Research Organization: Indiana Univ., Bloomington
• OSTI ID: 5533773
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 19:10; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
AEROSOL WASTES
AIR POLLUTION
AROMATICS
ASHES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CARBON
CARBON BLACK
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLY ASH
HYDROCARBONS
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOLYSIS
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RESIDUES
SILICA GEL
SORPTION
WASTES