Components of effluent organic matter (EfOM) present in wastewater have been amply identified as photosensitizers for singlet oxygen production that induces trace organic compounds (TOrC) transformations via indirect photolysis. Kinetic models based on known mechanisms have been used to simulate these degradation processes with few or no fitted parameters, but it remains necessary to fill gaps in the characterization of the EfOM photosensitizing behavior. Objectives of this study are: (i) to assess the light absorbance and quantum yield for singlet oxygen production of EfOM sensitizers, and (ii) to quantify the concentration of singlet oxygen produced by light-driven reactions. To test photosensitizer activity, secondary effluent samples from the Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility located in Tucson, Arizona, were used to effect TOrC indirect photolysis, using furfuryl alcohol (FFA) and p-cresol as targets. Solar light, UVA (300-400 nm) and monochromatic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were used as light sources to ascertain photosensitizer absorbance and quantum yield. Results showed that the TOrC targets were removed by singlet oxygen oxidation in a wide range of wavelengths. Bleaching effects of the photosensitizers have been analyzed and results show that singlet oxygen production ability decreases upon irradiation over a time scale longer than that necessary for significant degradation of the TOrC targets. These results highlight the need to fully characterize the photosensitizer behavior of EfOM so better models to predict its role in the degradation of TOrCs can be formulated.

Light-driven degradation of Trace Organic Compounds (TOrC) by photosensitizing activity of Effluent Organic Matter (EfOM) for singlet oxygen production via indirect photolysis reactions

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.