Nitrate-induced photooxidation of trace organic chemicals in water

The oxidation kinetics of butyl chloride, nitrobenzene, anisole, and methylmercury in the presence of hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavengers were used to determine the rate and quantum efficiency for production of ·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 ·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.