Photochemical degradation of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in aqueous solution by hydrated electrons and hydroxyl radicals. 2022

Brian P DiMento, and Cristina L Tusei, and Christoph Aeppli
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr, East Boothbay, ME, USA; Colby College, 5750 Mayflower Hill Drive, Waterville, ME, 04901, USA. Electronic address: bdimento@colby.edu.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are a complex mixture of polychlorinated alkanes (C10-C13, chlorine content 40-70%), and have been categorized as persistent organic pollutants. However, there are knowledge gaps about their environmental degradation, particularly the effectiveness and mechanism of photochemical degradation in surface waters. Photochemically-produced hydrated electrons (e-(aq)) have been shown to degrade highly chlorinated compounds in environmentally-relevant conditions more effectively than hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which can degrade a wide range of organic pollutants. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for e-(aq) and ·OH to degrade SCCPs. To this end, the degradation of SCCP model compounds was investigated under laboratory conditions that photochemically produced e-(aq) or ·OH. Resulting SCCP degradation rate constants for e-(aq) were on the same order of magnitude as well-known chlorinated pesticides. Experiments in the presence of ·OH yielded similar or higher second-order rate constants. Trends in e-(aq) and ·OH degradation rate constants of the investigated SCCPs were consistent with those of other chlorinated compounds, with higher chlorine content producing in higher rate constants for e-(aq) and lower for ·OH. Above a chlorine:carbon ratio of approximately 0.6, the e-(aq) second-order rate constants were higher than rate constants for ·OH reactions. Results of this study furthermore suggest that SCCPs are likely susceptible to degradation in sunlit surface waters, facilitated by dissolved organic matter as a source of photochemically produced e-(aq) and ·OH.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010232 Paraffin A mixture of solid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It has a wide range of uses including as a stiffening agent in ointments, as a lubricant, and as a topical anti-inflammatory. It is also commonly used as an embedding material in histology. Parafilm
D002681 China A country spanning from central Asia to the Pacific Ocean. Inner Mongolia,Manchuria,People's Republic of China,Sinkiang,Mainland China
D002713 Chlorine An element with atomic symbol Cl, atomic number 17, and atomic weight 35, and member of the halogen family. Chlorine Gas,Chlorine-35,Cl2 Gas,Chlorine 35,Gas, Chlorine,Gas, Cl2
D004583 Electrons Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called CATHODE RAYS. Fast Electrons,Negatrons,Positrons,Electron,Electron, Fast,Electrons, Fast,Fast Electron,Negatron,Positron
D004784 Environmental Monitoring The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment. Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006843 Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated Hydrocarbon compounds with one or more of the hydrogens replaced by CHLORINE. Chlorinated Hydrocarbon,Chlorinated Hydrocarbons,Organochlorine Compound,Chlorine Compounds, Organic,Organochlorine Compounds,Compound, Organochlorine,Compounds, Organic Chlorine,Compounds, Organochlorine,Hydrocarbon, Chlorinated,Organic Chlorine Compounds
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide
D017665 Hydroxyl Radical The univalent radical OH. Hydroxyl radical is a potent oxidizing agent.

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