ADSORPTION OF PYRENE AT MODEL HYDROPHOBIC INTERFACES

Adsorption behaviour of pyrene was studied at different model interfac es (air/water, air/lipid monolayer, mercury electrode/solution interfa ce and lipid coated electrodes), with the aim to evaluate the most rel evant processes influencing the distribution and effects of highly hyd rophobic and slightly water soluble organic contaminants in natural aq uatic systems. Studies have been performed by absorption, reflection a nd fluorescence spectroscopy, surface pressure and surface potential m easurements and electrochemical methods. It was found that pyrene mole cules incorporate into the hydrophobic core of lipid monolayers, thus influencing the charge and mass transfer through monolayers.