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Photochemical Conversion of Solar Energy in the Environment

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Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy

Abstract

Past research on photochemistry in the environment has focused on vapor-phase reactions in the atmosphere. Recently, however, environmentally significant photoreactions have been discovered in natural waters (i.e. the sea, lakes, rivers), on soil surfaces, and in atmospheric condensed phases. These new investigations have been stimulated in part by interest in developing a scientific understanding of the role of photochemical processes in the biogeochemical cycles of various elements. In addition, other studies have explored the role of natural photochemical processes in cleansing the environment of various waste materials or, in some cases, in converting the wastes to more toxic substances. In this paper, current research results on the photochemical conversion of solar energy in aquatic environments and on soil and metal oxide surfaces are presented. Rate equations and products for selected homogeneous and heterogeneous photoreactions that occur in these systems are described. Data are presented for direct and sensitized photoreactions and for sunlight-initiated free radical reactions.

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  1. Environmental Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia, 30613, USA

    Richard G. Zepp

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  1. Richard G. Zepp
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  1. University of Torino, Italy

    E. Pelizzetti

  2. University of Palermo, Italy

    M. Schiavello

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Zepp, R.G. (1991). Photochemical Conversion of Solar Energy in the Environment. In: Pelizzetti, E., Schiavello, M. (eds) Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3396-8_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3396-8_25

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