Ultrasound induced aqueous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon reactivity.
An investigation to determine the ability of ultrasonic radiation to chemically alter polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aqueous solution has been conducted. The data indicate that chemical alteration of PAHs can be induced under intense ultrasonic treatment. The extent and outcome of reaction is a function of irridation time and aqueous solution parameters. Reaction products were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Reaction products from ultrasonic treatment of aqueous solutions of biphenyl include ortho, meta, and para-1,1 biphenols. The principal product from ultrasonic treatment of aqueous phenanthrene solutions appears to be a phenanthrene-diol. The number and composition of reaction products for both PAHs tested suggest that a free radical mechanism is likely during aqueous high intensity ultrasonic treatment. The use of ultrasound to treat PAH contaminated aqueous solutions in tandem with other methodologies appears promising. However, the toxicity of reaction products produced by treatment remains to be determined.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 99775, USA. wheat@uni.edu
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D000399:Air Pressure; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000737:chemistry*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D014465:Ultrasonics
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002273:Carcinogens; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons