Photochemical reactions of environmentally toxic substances (Dutch)

Photochemical reactions can generate environmentally toxic substances (smog, for example) as well as harmless compounds. The principal manner in which compounds in the environment are chemically changed is by way of photochemical reactions in water, in soil particles, in the air, and also as a result of enzyme induced reaction of microorganisms in the soil, in the air and in sediments. A general overview of research in the field is presented. In addition, the authors report research carried out by the environmental chemistry department of Amsterdam University. The research focussed on identifying structures of products of polynuclear halogenated aromatic compounds and the mechanism of their formation at environmentally relevant wavelengths (simulation of environmental radiation).