EFFECTS OF COCONTAMINANTS ON PHOTODEGRADATION OF OCTACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN (OCDD)

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of co-contaminants on the photodegradation of OCDD. OCDD in selected solvents was irradiate d with a UV source or sunlight in the absence and presence of other co ntaminants. co-contaminants were added to the OCDD solution in varied concentration. Irradiated solutions were analyzed for the residual OCD D, co-contaminants and photoproducts. The results obtained from the st udies showed that photodegradation of OCDD was impeded by UV absorbing co-contaminants. The decrease in OCDD photodegradation was dependent on the concentration and molar absorbance of the co-contaminants. the presence of contaminants, however, did not lead to a significant chang e in the nature of the photoproducts.