The formation of reactive oxygen species, including hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen, from organic matter (OM) is a major factor in the degradation of organic contaminants. However, constituents of the background matrix, such as halides, can significantly alter the photoproduction rates by scavenging or quenching the formation potential. The quantum yields for singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and luminescence were determined with by varying the concentration of chloride and bromide. Depending on the OM standard and the ROS, different levels of quenching were seen. These changes are dependent upon the structural and conformational differences in the OM and on the mechanism for the formation of the ROS. In engineered and natural systems, there are varying levels of halides present and these will impact rates of ROS formation. Therefore, these results could be a key to understanding the true formation potential for ROS of specific waters.

Halide quenching of reactive oxygen species photoproduced from organic matter

245th National Meeting (2013)

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