Decomposition of Benzo (a) Pyrene on Artificial Sea Water Using UV/Photocatalytic Oxidation Process

In recent years, serious heavy oil pollution has frequently occurred in the ocean. Heavy oil has escaped from grounded oil carrier and drifted ashore. Drifted heavy oil contains hazardous chemical such as benzo (a) pyrene and other poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These hazardous chemicals have worse affected on sea plants and animals. Thus, it is important to develop effective elimination of hazardous chemicals or drifted petroleum from sea shore. In this study, we have investigated the decomposition of benzo (a) pyrene on artificial sea water using UV/photocatalytic oxidation process. From this study, it was found that about 90% of benzo (a) pyrene on artificial seawater was decomposed by UV/photocatalytic oxidation process. And there were no by-product from decomposition of benzo (a) pyrene. It was supposed that benzo (a) pyrene was completely decomposed using UV/photocatalytic oxidation process.