Wastewater treatment with ionizing radiation

In water treatment by ionizing radiation (OH)-O-center dot is suggested to initiate the degradation of organics. In these reactions mostly carbon centred radicals form. Here we show that other inorganic radicals also highly contribute to the initiation of degradation. Cl- and HCO3 (-) in the treated water reacting with (OH)-O-center dot transform to Cl (2) (center dot-) and CO (3) (center dot-) . In their reactions C-centred radicals form, too. The reactions of e (aq) (-) and H-center dot water radiolysis intermediates may also produce carbon centred radicals. The C-centred radicals react readily with dissolved O-2, this is the starting step of the gradual oxidation.