University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center
Abstract
The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, are of current concern as water pollutants and potential health hazards. The presence of PAH in natural water systems was evaluated and an analytical technique for specific PAH was developed. It was found that the PAH are not soluble in water but they either are present as particulate material or as material adsorbed on solid surfaces in natural water systems. The photodecomposition of two PAH, 1,2 benzanthracene, or BA, and 3,4 benzpyrene, or BP, was examined. Both compounds decompose under ultraviolet light to form their quinones, which then further decompose. Both BP and BA decompose following first order kinetics in true solution in 20 percent acetone in water. Particulate BA also decomposes following first order reaction kinetics, a1 though particulate BP will decompose only to a depth of 0.2 pm before decomposition stops. This decomposition is relatively unaffected by water chemistry and will occur under solar radiation and in turbid waters.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe
