Photochemical Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Lake Water

Abstract

The photochemical formation of hydrogen peroxide in the Kitagata lake water was monitored by a sensitive photometric method using leuco Crystal Violet as a color producing reagent The concentration of hydrogen peroxide increased with irradiation and reached equilibrium values. Suspended solids contributed to the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The decomposition rates of hydrogen peroxide in the dark were very small compared to the formation rates. About 25% of the superoxide generated photochemically did not lead directly to hydrogen peroxide formation.