Photodegradation of PCDD/Fs adsorbed on spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) needles under sunlight irradiation

Chemosphere. 2003 Mar;50(9):1217-25. doi: 10.1016/s0045-6535(02)00509-x.

Abstract

Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) needles were exposed to exhaust gas containing polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) generated by combustion of polyvinyl chloride, wood, high-density polyethylene, and styrene. Photodegradation of PCDD/Fs adsorbed on spruce needles under sunlight irradiation was studied. The photodegradation of PCDD/Fs follows pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics, with photolysis half-lives ranging between 40 and 100 h. The photolysis rates of PCDF congeners are higher than PCDD congeners with the same chlorinated substitutions. Higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs tend to photolyze slowly. The wax components in spruce needles may act as proton donors and accelerate the photolysis rate. C-Cl cleavage through the addition of protons to PCDD/F molecules may be an important route for PCDD/Fs photodegradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Benzofurans / analysis
  • Benzofurans / radiation effects*
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / radiation effects*
  • Photolysis*
  • Picea / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / radiation effects*
  • Sunlight
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins