Quantifying Hydroxyl Radical in Natural Waters: An Important Pathway for Pollutant Degradation
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
16-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Chemistry and Geology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
John Thoemke
Mentor's Department
Chemistry and Geology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
In recent years the increased use of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other chemicals has become a concern for the future of natural waters. Specifically, there is growing concern over the interaction of chemicals with reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are highly reactive short-lived molecules that include oxygen. One type, the hydroxyl radical, was the focus of this study. The presence of hydroxyl radical in natural waters has been determined but its high reactivity makes it difficult to isolate and quantify. Its role in the degradation of certain chemicals has resulted in byproducts that can be more toxic than the original compound. In natural waters, the hydroxyl radical is formed through the action of sunlight on nitrate or dissolved organic matter. In this study, the hydroxyl radical was created in controlled experiments exposing nitrate to ultraviolet light.
Terephthalic acid was used as a probe to detect the hydroxyl radical. When combined with the hydroxyl radical, the terephthalic acid forms 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid, which can be measured using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. This was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The amount of 2- hydroxyterephthalic acid was directly related to the amount of hydroxyl radical. With a successful way to quantify the hydroxyl radical, it will be possible in future studies to determine, in more detail, the role of hydroxyl in the degradation of specific pharmaceuticals in natural waters.
Quantifying Hydroxyl Radical in Natural Waters: An Important Pathway for Pollutant Degradation
CSU Ballroom
In recent years the increased use of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other chemicals has become a concern for the future of natural waters. Specifically, there is growing concern over the interaction of chemicals with reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are highly reactive short-lived molecules that include oxygen. One type, the hydroxyl radical, was the focus of this study. The presence of hydroxyl radical in natural waters has been determined but its high reactivity makes it difficult to isolate and quantify. Its role in the degradation of certain chemicals has resulted in byproducts that can be more toxic than the original compound. In natural waters, the hydroxyl radical is formed through the action of sunlight on nitrate or dissolved organic matter. In this study, the hydroxyl radical was created in controlled experiments exposing nitrate to ultraviolet light.
Terephthalic acid was used as a probe to detect the hydroxyl radical. When combined with the hydroxyl radical, the terephthalic acid forms 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid, which can be measured using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. This was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The amount of 2- hydroxyterephthalic acid was directly related to the amount of hydroxyl radical. With a successful way to quantify the hydroxyl radical, it will be possible in future studies to determine, in more detail, the role of hydroxyl in the degradation of specific pharmaceuticals in natural waters.
Recommended Citation
Sellner, Andria. "Quantifying Hydroxyl Radical in Natural Waters: An Important Pathway for Pollutant Degradation." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-A/29
