Alexandra Bausch, Amanda Grannas, and Kendell Mahanna. Villanova University, Villanova, PA
The “quasi-liquid layer” (QLL) is a chemically concentrated, liquid-like, disordered layer found on the surface of pure ice and snow crystals. The QLL forms when water freezes; the pure water crystallizes first and the excluded ions become concentrated at the surface of the ice in a thin, liquid-like layer (freeze-concentration effect). This chemically-enriched QLL can potentially impact the chemistry that will occur in ice and snow. However, the role of the QLL in photochemical reactions is largely unknown. Consequently, the present research goal involves an investigation of photochemistry in the QLL. By using the well-characterized reaction of p-nitroanisole (PNA) with pyridine, PNA photodegradation is examined in an effort to better understand the photochemistry in frozen media. It was found that the rate of degradation is enhanced upon freezing due to the freeze-concentration effect. Studies investigating ionic strength, temperature, and concentration dependence were performed and the results will be discussed in further detail.
Back to Environmental Poster Session
Back to The 34th Northeast Regional Meeting (October 5-7 2006)