Radiation induced decomposition of biological resistant pollutants in water.

Data and reaction mechanisms for oxidative decomposition of biological resistant chlorinated hydrocarbons in aerated water under the influence of ionizing radiation are reported. The radiolysis of the pollutants was studied as a function of the absorbed radiation dose, whereby the formation of C1- ions served as an indicator for the degradation process. In addition phenol was also investigated as a representative of aromatic compounds. Based on the experimental data a radiation pretreatment of water is proposed followed by conventional methods for water purification.