Effect of photosensitizer riboflavin on the fate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in a freshwater environment

The effect of riboflavin (1 muM) on the fate of TNT (20 mg/l) in a natural water environment was studied. The relative contribution of photolysis, mic robial assemblages and freshwater matrix to TNT degradation was examined. T he rates, extent and products of TNT and riboflavin transformation were com pared under different experimental conditions. It was found that riboflavin significantly enhanced the degradation of TNT in natural water environment . Thus it is a potentially useful photosensitizing agent for the treatment of TNT-contaminated surface water. Furthermore, in the presence of riboflav in, two new intermediates with max, absorption wavelength of 230 nm were fo und, demonstrating that transformation of TNT in the presence of riboflavin undergoes different pathways. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.