Insight into citric acid-enhanced abiotic degradation of benzoapyrene: transformation of iron species and hydroxyl radical production

Key Points

• The aim is to understand how citric acid affects the abiotic degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil and the transformation of iron species and hydroxyl radical production.
• Laboratory experiments assessing the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil treated with citric acid.
• Measurement of iron species changes during the degradation process.
• Analysis of hydroxyl radical production associated with citric acid application.
• Citric acid significantly increased the degradation rate of benzo[a]pyrene in soil.
• Transformation of iron species was observed, enhancing the degradation process.
• Higher levels of hydroxyl radicals were produced with the addition of citric acid.