Degradation of PCBs in a marine sediment treated with ionizing and UV radiation.
Radiolytic (electron beam) and photolytic (ultraviolet, UV) dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a marine sediment are described. Samples of a PCB-laden marine sediment, Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1944, NewYork/New Jersey Waterway Sediment, have been mixed with aqueous alcohol solutions and irradiated with an electron beam or photolyzed. Additives, such as alcohol, enhance the radiolytic yield and PCB dechlorination. In the electron beam irradiated samples, the concentrations of 29 PCB congeners decrease with irradiation dose. At the highest dose (500 kGy), the total concentration of PCBs is decreased by 83%. Photolysis leads to little dechlorination, but photolysis with added triethylamine leads to dechlorination (about 60%). It is likely that photolysis under optimal conditions (other additives, exposure time) may be as effective as electron beam radiolysis for the dechlorination of PCBs in sediment.
Poster
Dianne L
DL
Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA.
Chaychian
Mahnaz
M
Neta
Pedatsur
P
Huie
Robert E
RE
Silverman
Joseph
J
Al-Sheikhly
Mohamad
M
D004583:Electrons; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls