This paper is an update of a paper presented in 1988 at a similar ACS Symposium. The equation which we feel best represents the photochemically mediated processes of humic substances as we referred to them in 1988 and now more broadly as natural organic matter (NOM) includes hydrolysis, direct photolysis, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, triplet state NOM, an unknown excited state NOM, solvated electron, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide and the carbonate radical. This equation is formulated to describe the photochemical fate of an organic compound, P, and it shows that by far most of the reactions result from photolytic reactions involving NOM. We are using this equation to better understand the fate of pharmaceutical compounds in natural waters. We believe that by solving this equation it holds promise for the design and optimization of constructed wetlands for the removal of nutrients and sediments and also pharmaceuticals that find their way into streams, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Of course not all of the necessary reaction rates are known and that is still an area of active investigation.

Sunlight-induced photochemistry of natural organic matter: Major reactive species

248th National Meeting (2014)

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