Radiation-induced OH radical generation and its use for groundwater remediation

Because of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide formation, irradiation treatment alone is not enough for groundwater treatment prior to its utilization as drinking water. Addition of ozone to the water before irradiation eliminates the nitrite and hydrogen peroxide as well and causes the reducing species of water radiolysis to be converted into OH radicals. The resulting advanced oxidation process is the only one which is based on two OH radical sources: water radiolysis and ozone decomposition. The basic chemistry and a 3 m3 prototype installation is described. (author)