Effect of suspended sediments on the photolysis of organics in water

Abstract

An assessment of the role of suspended sediments and clays on the rate and mechanism of photolysis of pollutants in water was performed. Although semiconductor powders such at TiO2 could photocatalyze the decomposition of organics such as methyl alcohol and p-dichlorobenzene in water, no reaction occurred with naturally occurring suspended sediments or clays. The sediments and clays decreased the rate of photolysis of pollutants such as the insecticide methoxychlor by shielding the pollutant from the available light.