• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.659-665
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• 2000

The changes in $UV_{254}$ and concentrations of $H_2O_2$ formed by ozonation of aqueous humic acid in ozone/high pH, peroxone process and in the presence of radical scavenger, $HCO_3{^-}$ were investigated. This study confirmed that the formation of $H_2O_2$ by ozonation may undergo different reaction pathways compared to those of $UV_{254}$ reduction in the degradation of the humic acid. The concentration of $H_2O_2$ produced by ozonation was found to be increased with decreasing pH of the sample solution due to the higher stability of ozone molecules at acidic conditions. On the while, $UV_{254}$ reduction was found to be higher at alkaline conditions or larger amount of $H_2O_2$ additions as a radical promoter in which the producing of ${\cdot}OH$, ${\cdot}HO_2$ radicals can be more favorable. From the results, it has been suggested that the formation of $H_2O_2$ by ozonation depends mainly on the direct reactions of ozone with humic acid molecules, while $UV_{254}$ reduction is affected by both the indirect reactions of the radicals and direct reactions of ozone with humic acid.