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Influence of UV-B Radiation and Temperature on Photodegradation of PAHs: Preliminary Results

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Abstract

The joint impact of UV-B radiation and temperature on photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorbed to an organic solvent was assessed in this study. This approach was experimentally performed in a laboratory investigation by means of comparison of two different environments: Atlantic (Lancaster, UK) and Mediterranean (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain) climatic conditions. The concentration of 10 PAHs contained in a tetradecane solution was compared under two different temperatures (10 and 20°C) and UV-B doses (6.5 and 22.5 kJ m−2 day−1). No photodegradation was observed for the heaviest hydrocarbons (benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(g,h,i)perylene and coronene). In general terms, the half-life of PAHs was highly dependent on their molecular weight. Significant faster photodegradation rates were detected specially for light PAHs. It indicates that a synergistic effect occurred when both temperature and UV-B dose increased. This synergism might have a great implication on the long-range transport of environmental organic pollutants taking into account that low-latitude areas are the hottest and most irradiated of the planet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, “Rovira i Virgili” University, San Lorenzo 21, 43201, Reus, Spain

    Martí Nadal, Marta Schuhmacher & José L. Domingo

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, IENS, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Jason J. Wargent & Nigel D. Paul

  3. Department of Environmental Science, IENS, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Kevin C. Jones

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  1. Martí Nadal
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Correspondence to José L. Domingo.

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Nadal, M., Wargent, J.J., Jones, K.C. et al. Influence of UV-B Radiation and Temperature on Photodegradation of PAHs: Preliminary Results. J Atmos Chem 55, 241–252 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-006-9037-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-006-9037-7

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