Exploration of Influencing Factors and Generation Mechanism of EPFRs in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil

Yaning Liu, Guijin Su, Yulin Xu, Jiahua Peng, Jing Meng, Qianqian Li and Bin Shi ()
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Yaning Liu: Henan Institutes of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Guijin Su: Henan Institutes of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Yulin Xu: Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Jiahua Peng: Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Jing Meng: Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Qianqian Li: Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Bin Shi: Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are a new class of pollutants that have been identified as potential environmental contaminants due to their persistence and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative stress in living organisms. This study investigates the formation and behavior of EPFRs during the photodegradation of organic pollutants, emphasizing the role of metal ions, precursor concentration, and environmental conditions. Results show that light exposure significantly enhances pollutant degradation rates, EPFR yield, and formation speed, though it simultaneously shortens EPFR lifespan due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In dark conditions, EPFR formation is slower but results in more stable radicals. Metal ions play a pivotal role, with Cu(II) exhibiting the highest EPFR generation capacity due to its strong electron-accepting properties, surpassing Zn(II) and Na(I), highlighting that metal ions with greater oxidizing potential enhance EPFR formation. The precursor, as both reaction product and reactant, plays a dual role in EPFR formation. Individual compounds like anthracene (ANT) yield stable carbon-centered radicals, while mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produce more complex radical spectra. The study of the influencing factors and transformation mechanisms of EPFR generation in soil can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental behavior of new pollutants, provide a scientific basis for sustainable development, and be of great significance for the assessment and management of environmental risks and the protection of the ecological environment.

Keywords: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; environmental persistent free radicals; degradation patterns; soil; electron transfer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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