Photochemical Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Real and Laboratory Conditions

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Abstract
Studies were carried out on the effects induced by the main components of airborne particulate matter (APM) as soot, inorganic and cyclohexane soluble substances and by glass fiber filters on photodegradation of pyrene, benz(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene exposed to UV and solar radiation. In both experimental models tested hydrocarbons showed a higher photochemical stability when absorbed on APM. Inorganic components of APM slightly enhance UV photodegradation. In real condition (outdoor exposure to solar radiation) PAH half lives generally showed a good linear correlation with mean solar radiation intensity; only degradation rate of benzo(a)pyrene on APM, exposed to sunlight was practically constant. Pyrene, in particular, showed a higher degradation rate when high ozone concentrations (0.2 ppm) occurred.