Photolysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in seawater and estuary water: Impact of pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved organic matter

The influence of salinity, pH, temperature, and dissolved organic matter on the photolysis rate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in marine, estuary, and laboratory-prepared waters was studied using a Suntest CPS+® solar simulator equipped with optical filters. TNT degradation rates were determined using HPLC analysis, and products were identified using LC/MS. Minimal or no TNT photolysis occurred under a 395-nm long pass filter, but under a 295-nm filter, first-order TNT degradation rate constants and apparent quantum yields increased with increasing salinity in both natural and artificial seawater. TNT rate constants increased slightly with increasing temperature (10 to 32°C) but did not change significantly with pH (6.4 to 8.1). The addition of dissolved organic matter (up to 5mg/L) to ultrapure water, artificial seawater, and natural seawater increased the TNT photolysis rate constant. Products formed by TNT photolysis in natural seawater were determined to be 2,4,6-trinitrobenzaldehyde, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid, and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzoic acid. [Display omitted] •2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was photolyzed in marine, estuary, & laboratory waters.•TNT photolysis rates increased with increasing salinity & dissolved organic matter.•Temperature and pH had minimal impact on TNT photolysis in marine waters.•In seawater, TNT photolysis produced 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene & trinitrobenzaldehyde.•Polar products were 2,4,6-trinobenzoic acid & 2-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzoic acid.