Ice presents an important reaction environment for many atmospheric compounds including pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Photochemistry of PAHs has been shown to proceed much more quickly at ice surfaces than in bulk ice or in liquid water. Common components of natural waters such as salt and organic matter could affect pollutant reactivity at ice surfaces, but few studies have investigated this possibility. We have measured PAH photolysis kinetics in aqueous solution, in bulk ice, and at ice surfaces in the presence of proxies for environmental organic matter. Our results show that organic matter can significantly affect PAH photolysis kinetics in bulk ice and at ice surfaces, even when the organic matter does not absorb sunlight.

Effects of organic matter on pollutant photolysis at ice surfaces

248th National Meeting (2014)

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