Abstract
The oxidation of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): benzo[a]pyrene (BAP), chrysene
(CHR) and fluorene (FLU) in aqueous solution using ozone assisted by UV radiation was investigated. The
influence of pH of the reaction mixture, ozone concentration and the presence of a radical scavenger on the
reaction rate was determined. The highest rate of PAHs disappearance was achieved in acidic solutions. The
radical scavenger-tert-butanol, effectively inhibited the rate of BAP and CHR destruction but had a slight
influencein thecaseof FLU. Therateconstants of direct reaction of PAHs with ozonewe recalculate d using
our earlier investigations and they were equal to