R. Atkinson, S. M. Aschmann, A. Winer
Jul 1, 1985
Citations
2
Influential Citations
22
Citations
Journal
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Abstract
The homogeneous gas phase atmospheric loss processes for chlorobenzene (CB), benzotrifluoride (BTF) and 4-chlorobenzotrifluoride (CBTF), compounds chemically and structurally similar to various classes of herbicides and pesticides currently in use, have been experimentally investigated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved protocols. The rate constants, or upper limits thereof, for photolysis (under blacklight irradiation with an NO2 photolysis rate of 0.27 min−1) and reaction with OH radicals and O3 were determined. The rate constants obtained were: k(photolysis) <2.7×10−6 sec−1 for CBTF; k(O3 reaction) <5×10−21 cm3 molecule−1 sec−1 for all three of these aromatic compounds; and k(OH radical reaction)=(8.8±1.1)×10−13 cm3 molecule−1 sec−1 for CB; (4.4±1.1)×10−13 cm3 molecule−1 sec−1 for BTF; and (2.3±0.8)×10−13 cm3 molecule−1 sec−1 for CBTF. Estimated atmospheric lifetimes due to these reactions are calculated and their environmental implications discussed. A predictive technique is presented for estimating the rate constants for addition of OH radicals to aromatic rings.