United States Prevention, Pesticides EPA712-C-98-066 Environmental Protection and Toxic Substances January 1998 Agency (7101) vvEPA Fate, Transport and Transformation Test Guidelines OPPTS 835.2310 Maximum Direct Photolysis Rate in Air from UVA/isible Spectroscopy ------- INTRODUCTION This guideline is one of a series of test guidelines that have been developed by the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in the testing of pesticides and toxic substances, and the development of test data that must be submitted to the Agency for review under Federal regulations. The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) has developed this guideline through a process of harmonization that blended the testing guidance and requirements that existed in the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and appeared in Title 40, Chapter I, Subchapter R of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) which appeared in publications of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and the guidelines pub- lished by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The purpose of harmonizing these guidelines into a single set of OPPTS guidelines is to minimize variations among the testing procedures that must be performed to meet the data requirements of the U. S. Environ- mental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7U.S.C. I36,etseq.). Final Guideline Release: This guideline is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 on The Federal Bul- letin Board. By modem dial 202-512-1387, telnet and ftp: fedbbs.access.gpo.gov (IP 162.140.64.19), or call 202-512-0132 for disks or paper copies. This guideline is also available electronically in ASCII and PDF (portable document format) from EPA's World Wide Web site (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/research.htm) under the heading "Research- ers and Scientists/Test Methods and Guidelines/OPPTS Harmonized Test Guidelines." ------- OPPTS 835.2310 Maximum direct photolysis rate in air from UV/visi- ble spectroscopy. (a) Scope — (1) Applicability. This guideline is intended to meet test- ing requirements of both the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136, et seq.) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 U.S.C. 2601). (2) Background. The source material used in developing this har- monized OPPTS test guideline is 40 CFR 796.3800 Gas Phase Absorption Spectra and Photolysis. (b) Introduction — (1) Background and purpose. Numerous chemi- cals enter the atmosphere from a variety of sources. For example, chemi- cals enter the atmosphere as a result of the burning of coal, from the com- bustion of gasoline in cars and diesel fuel in trucks, and from the release of volatile organic chemicals during manufacture, processing, use, and dis- posal. Pesticides, applied from airplanes, enter the atmosphere directly and volatilize from soils and water bodies. Chemical pollutants present in the atmosphere can undergo photochemical transformation in the environment by direct photolysis in sunlight. Quantitative data in the form of rate con- stants and half-lives are needed to determine the importance of direct pho- tolysis of pollutants in the atmosphere. This test method describes a first- tier screening level test method to estimate the maximum direct photolysis rate constant and minimum half-life of chemicals in the atmosphere in sunlight as a function of latitude and season of the year in the United States. (2) Definitions and units. The definitions in section 3 of TSCA and in 40 CFR Part 792— Good Laboratory Practice Standards (GLP) apply to this test guideline. The following definitions also apply to this test guideline. Absorbance (A^) is defined as the logarithm of the ratio of the initial intensity (Io) of a beam of radiant energy to the intensity (I) of the same beam after passage through a sample at a fixed wavelength X. Thus, = log (Io/I). The actinic solar irradiance in the atmosphere (J^) is related to the sunlight intensity in the atmosphere and is proportional to the average light flux (in units of photons per square centimer per day) that is available to cause photoreaction in the wavelength interval AX, centered at X, over a 24-hour day at a specific latitude and season date. It is the irra- diance which would be measured by a weakly absorbing spherical acti- nometer exposed to direct solar radiation and sky radiation from all direc- tions. The Beer-Lambert law states that the absorbance of a chemical in the gas phase, at a fixed wavelength, is proportional to the thickness of ------- the absorbing material (1), or the light pathlength, and the concentration of the absorbing species (C). Cross section fo/) is defined as the proportionality constant in the Beer-Lambert law. Thus, AX = CTX' Cl, where AX is the absorbance, C is the concentration in molecules per cubic centimeter and 1 is the pathlength in centimeters. The units of the cross section ax' are square centimeters per molecule. Numerical values of the cross section depend upon the nature of the absorbing species. Direct photolysis is defined as the direct absorption of light by a chemical followed by a reaction which transforms the parent chemical into one or more products. A first-order reaction is defined as a reaction in which the rate of disappearance of a chemical is directly proportional to the concentration of the chemical and is not a function of the concentration of any other chemical present in the reaction mixture. The Grotthus-Draper law, the first law of photochemistry, states that only light which is absorbed can be effective in producing a chemical transformation. The half-life (t\/2) of a chemical is defined as the time required for the concentration of the chemical being photolyzed to be reduced to one- half its initial value. Radiant energy, or radiation, is defined as the energy traveling as a wave unaccompanied by transfer of matter. Examples include X-rays, visible light, UV light, radio waves, etc. The reaction quantum yield ((f)?i) for an excited state process is de- fined as the fraction of absorbed light that results in photoreaction at a fixed wavelength A,. It is the ratio of a number of molecules that photoreact to the number of quanta of light absorbed or the ratio of the number of moles that photoreact to the number of einsteins of light absorbed at a fixed wavelength X. The Stark-Einstein law, the second law of photochemistry, states that only one molecule is activated to an excited state per photon or quantum of light absorbed. The sunlight direct potolysis rate constant (kpE) is the first-order rate constant (in units of day *) and is a measure of the rate of disappearance of a chemical in the gas phase in sunlight. (3) Principle of the test method, (i) For weak absorbance of a chemi- cal in the atmosphere, the first-order direct photolysis rate constant, kpe, is given by the equation ------- Equation 1 kpE = 2.30 where (f>x is the reaction quantum yield; §\ is the cross section (in units of cm2 molecule *) averaged over a wavelength interval AX, centered at X; Jx is the actinic solar irradiance (in units of photons cm 2 day *) aver- aged over the wavelength interval AX, centered at X; and the summation is taken over the range AX = 290 to 800 nm. Jx is the solar actinic irradi- ance in the atmosphere under clear sky conditions and is a function of latitude and season of the year. (ii) Since this photolysis process is first-order, the half-life (ti/i) of a chemical is given by Equation 2 ti/2 = 0.693/kpe (iii) A simple first-tier screening test has been developed using Equa- tion 1. As an approximation, it is assumed that the reaction quantum yield 4>x is equal to 1, the maximum value. As a result, the upper limit for the direct photolysis sunlight rate constant in the gas phase is obtained and Equation 1 becomes Equation 3 (kpE)max = 2.30 Ła\Jx Using Equation 3 in Equation 2, the lower limit for the half-life is given by Equation 4 (tl/2)min = 0.693/(kpE)max The cross section can be determined experimentally by the procedures out- lined in paragraph (c) of this guideline and the values of Jx are given in Tables 1 to 4 under paragraph (c)(3) of this guideline as a function of latitude and season of the year in the United States. These data can be used in Equation 3 to calculate (kpE)max. Finally, (kpE)max can be sub- stituted in Equation 4 to calculate (ti/2)min. (4) Applicability and specificity, (i) This test method is applicable to all chemicals which have UV/visible absorptions in the range 290 to 800 nm. Some chemicals only have absorptions below 290 nm and con- sequently cannot undergo direct photolysis in sunlight (e.g. chemicals such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, and fluoroalkanes). ------- (ii) This test method is only applicable to pure chemicals and not to the technical grade. (iii) The first-tier screening test can be employed to estimate (kpE)max and (ti/2)min. If these data indicate that gas phase photolysis is an important process relative to other gas phase transformation processes (e.g. oxidation with hydroxyl radicals or ozone), it is recommended that an upper-tier photolysis test be carried out to determine the reaction quantum yield and thus obtain more precise environmentally relevant rate constants and half- lives in sunlight. The data obtained from this first-tier test method can be used to determine (kpE)max for a test chemical as a function of latitude and season of the year in the United States under clear sky conditions. These rate constants are in a form suitable for preliminary mathematical modeling for environmental fate of a test chemical. (c) Test procedures. The procedures outlined in this test method are based on the method proposed by Mill et al. under paragraph (e)(l) of this guideline and developed by Pitts et al. under paragraph (e)(2) of this guideline. It is also recommended that OPPTS 830.7050 be consulted for additional guidance. (1) Test conditions—(i) UV/visible spectrophotometer. Although single-beam spectrophotometers may be used, recording double beam spectrophotometers are recommended. It is extremely important that the spectrophotometer be able to scan over the wavelength region 270 to 800 nm and have an absorbance sensitivity, at a signal/noise ratio of one, of approximately 0.001. It is important that the spectrophotometer be able to attain a 90 percent separation of two monochromatic spectral features approximately 4 nm apart, peak to peak (i.e. the resolution should be at least 4 nm). It is also desirable to have a spectrophotometer that can ac- commodate absorption cells of length >10 cm. A Gary 219 UV/Visible Spectrophotometer, or an equivalent model, is recommended. (ii) Vapor and liquid absorption cells. (A) Long pathlength cells are preferable; however, many commercial spectrophotometers will only accept absorption cells of 10 cm or less. A suitable vapor cell is depicted in the following Figure 1. ------- FIGURE 1—GAS ABSORPTION CELL IT on i e-tiiw on >3U A FiH ; (B) A suitable vapor cell can be constructed as follows. The vapor cell should be constructed of Pyrex, 1 cm O.D. and 10 cm in length, and be fitted with plane parallel quartz windows at each end. The quartz win- dows can be conveniently attached to the Pyrex cell with vaccum tight epoxy resin (e.g. Torr-Seal, Varian Associates) only applied to the outside surface. A Teflon stopcock (or a Pyrex O-ring stopcock) should be con- nected to the cell and contain an O-ring joint. The O-ring joint (e.g. no. 7 or no. 9, Kontes or Ace Glass) must match the one on the vacuum rack. Viton O-rings are recommended and should be frequently inspected for signs of deterioration which would result in vacuum leaks. A matched reference cell is extremely useful but not essential. However, the sample and reference cells should be very similar. Small spectral differences be- tween the cells can be compensated for by running a blank with the sample and reference cells in the spectrophotometer. The use of stopcock grease is not required with these cells and should be avoided. (C) A matched pair of liquid absorption cells is very desirable but is not essential. A pair of quartz UV absorption cells, 10 cm in length, having ground glass or Teflon stoppers are recommended. These liquid absorption cells are readily available commercially. (iii) Vacuum gas handling system. A suitable gas handling system is shown diagramatically in the following Figure 2 and should be con- structed completely with Pyrex glass. ------- FIGURE 2—SCHEMATIC OF GAS HANDLING VACUUM RACK PINCH CLAMP ULTRA-HIGH PURITY AIR CYLINDER A ROTARY PUMP B RUBBER TUBING (THICK WALLED) C DIFFUSION PUMP D TRAP AT LIQUID NITROGEN TEMPERATURE E #7 OR 9 O-RING JOINTS F MOLECULAR SIEVE 4A TRAP G CAPACITANCE MANOMETER H THERMOCOUPLE GAUGE I IONIZATION GAUGE J LIQUID RESERVOIR K GAS ABSORPTION CELL VENTED EXHAUST t 0-4 OR 0-5 mm STOPCOCKS ) 0-8 OR 0-1 Omm STOPCOCKS The components of the gas handling system are discussed below. The use of stopcock grease is not required and should be avoided. (A) Vacuum pumping system. (7) In order to achieve a good vacu- um, i.e. pressures <10 5 torr (1.3 x 10 6 kPa), two pumps are required. The forepump (A) must be capable of achieving a pressure <0.05 torr (0.0065 kPa). A rotary pump (e.g. a Welch Model 1402 Duo-Seal or an equivalent model) is recommended. The forepump can be attached to the vacuum system by means of heavy-walled rubber vacuum tubing (B), or any flexible vacuum tubing. The exhaust from this pump should be vented into a hood. (2) The second pump, a high vacuum model, should be a multistage oil diffusion pump (C) (e.g. a Consolidated Vacuum Corp. VMF-10 or VMF-20 or an equivalent model). The pump fluid should be a silicone oil with a room temperature vapor pressure of <10 6 torr (1.3 x 10 7 kPa) (e.g. Dow-Corning D.C. 702 or 703, or an equivalent grade). ------- (3) It is extremely important that the pumping system contain a trap (D) cooled with liquid nitrogen. The cone and socket joint on this trap can be conveniently sealed with Apiezon W wax, or an equivalent grade. This wax requires only gentle heating to apply and makes an effective vacuum seal. It is possible that a few test chemicals could dissolve Apiezon W wax. In this case, an inert silicone grease may be used to seal the trap. (B) Vacuum rack. The recommended vacuum rack assembly is de- picted in Figure 2 under paragraph (d)(l)(iii) of this guideline. All stopcocks should be of Teflon with Viton O-rings (Kontes K-826500 or K-826510 series or equivalent grades (or Pyrex O-ring stopcocks)). The O-ring joints (E) (no. 7 or no. 9) must be compatible with those on the gas absorption cell (K) or on the liquid reservoir (J). These O-ring joints should be clamped by pinch clamps with a screw lock device (e.g. Thomas #18A, or an equivalent grade). (C) Pressure Gauges. Three pressure gauges are required: (7) An ionization gauge to measure high vacuum (<10 3 torr (1.3x10 4 kPa)). (2) A thermocouple gauge to monitor the pressure in the range 10 3 to 1 torr (1.3 x 10 4 to 0.13 kPa). A convenient pressure monitoring system which contains ionization and thermocouple gauges is a Consolidated Vac- uum Corp. Model GIC-300A or an equivalent model. (3) A pressure gauge to monitor the pressure of the test chemical and diluent in the range 0.01 to 760 torr (0.0013 to 101.3 kPa); for exam- ple, an MKS Baratron 310 BHS-1000 with the associated 170-6C elec- tronics unit and a digital readout or an equivalent model. While this vacu- um gauge exhibits a slow zero drift, it can be readily rezeroed using the ionization gauge, i.e. when the ionization gauge reads approximately 10 3 torr (0.00013 kPa) or less. (2) Operation of the gas handling system. Since there are a wide variety of procedures available for operating a gas handling system, the method used is left to the discretion of the tester. For those testers who do not have experience in handling a vacuum system, the detailed proce- dure described in paragraph (d)(5) of this guideline is recommended. (3) Preparation of samples—(i) Preparation of the gas phase test chemical sample: Preliminary Steps. (A) If the test chemical is a gas at room temperature, attach the gas container to the O-ring at the point where the liquid reservoir (J) is placed. Close stopcocks 2 and 3 and open 4. Pump until the pressure is <10 2 torr (1.3 x 10 3 kPa) as read on ther- mocouple gauge (H2). Then open stopcocks 2 and 3 and close 4 and pump until the pressure is less than 10 5 torr (1.3 x 10 6 kPa) as read on the ionization gauge (I). ------- (B) If the test chemical is a liquid at room temperature, add a few cubic centimeters of liquid to a reservoir tube (J), sealed at one end and containing an O-ring at the other end, and connect the tube via the CD- ring to stopcock 6. Freeze the sample with a Dewar containing liquid nitro- gen, close stopcocks 2 and 3 and open 4 and 6. Degas the test chemical by allowing it to warm up to the liquid state, briefly degas, and refreeze the liquid. Repeat this process three or more times until the evolution of gas bubbles ceases upon thawing. Freeze the liquid, open stopcocks 2 and 3 and close 4. Pump until the pressure is less than 10 5 torr (1.3 x 10 6 kPa) as indicated by the ionization gauge (I). Close stopcock 6. (ii) Introduction of the test chemical into the gas absorption cell. (A) For introduction of the test chemical into the gas absorption cell, close stopcocks 5, 7 and 10, with 9 and 11 open. If the test chemical is a gas, stopcock 6 should be opened and the gas container valve is gradually opened to admit the gas into the gas handling manifold and gas absorption cell until the desired pressure is attained, as read on the capacitance ma- nometer (G). Close the gas container valve and stopcock 6 and allow ap- proximately 5 min before the final pressure at (G) is read. If the pressure has not stabilized in approximately 5 min allow the cell to condition for several hours before the final pressure at (G) is read. (B) For a liquid chemical in the reservoir (J), which has been degassed and is at liquid nitrogen temperature, the liquid nitrogen Dewar should be removed and stopcock 6 opened. The cold liquid in the reservoir (J) is allowed to warm up until the required pressure is attained, as read by the capacitance manometer (G). Close stopcock 6 and cool the reservoir again with liquid nitrogen and allow approximately 5 min before the final pressure at (G) is read. If the pressure has not stabilized in approximately 5 min, allow the cell to condition for several hours before the final pressure at (G) is read. (C) With stopcocks 6, 8 and 11 closed and 5, 7, 9, and 10 open, the gas handling manifold is evacuated as described previously to a pres- sure less than 10 5 torr (1.3 x 10 6 kPa). Stopcocks 5 and 10 are then closed and ultra-high purity air from a cylinder is admitted into the gas handling manifold via stopcock 8 and through the trap (F) containing Mo- lecular Sieve 4A. When the manifold is at one atmosphere pressure, as measured by pressure gauge (G), stopcock 11 is briefly opened to pressure the gas absorption cell to one atmosphere, and then closed. Stopcocks 8 and 9 are closed and the gas handling system is evacuated as described previously. The gas absorption cell can then be removed from (E) and covered to avoid photolysis. (D) Based on the pressure P of the test chemical, as measured by gauge (G), the concentration of the gas sample is Equation 5 8 ------- C (molecules cm 3) = 9.657 x 1018 P(torr)/T( K) Equation 5 a C (molecules cm 3) = 1.287 x 1018 P(kPa)/T(K) where T is the room temperature in degrees Kelvin, which should be rou- tinely monitored with a thermometer. (F) The recommended pressure of the test chemical should be in the range 1-5 torr (0.13-0.65 kPa) where the Beer-Lambert law is obeyed. A final check on whether the test chemical obeys the Beer-Lambert law can be accomplished by demonstrating the constancy of the cross section at three partial pressures differing by a factor of 10. (iii) Preparation of solution phase test chemical sample. (A) If the properties of the test chemical (i.e. small cross sections, low vapor pres- sure) are such that the maximum absorbance obtainable is one-tenth of the most sensitive spectrophotometer scale or less (i.e. <0.001 absorbance), a solution-phase study should be undertaken. The most sensitive scale may be limited by inherent spectrophotometer noise. For example, a given spectrophotometer's most sensitive scale is 0.00 to 0.10 absorbance units. Therefore, a test chemical for which the product of its maximum cross section and its concentration is less than 0.001 (in a 10 cm cell) could not be analyzed in the vapor phase with this particular spectrophotometer. (B) The following spectroscopic grade chemicals are recommended to prepare solutions: chloroform, w-hexane, acetonitrile, and cyclohexane. Solutions of up to 10 percent by volume of test chemical can be prepared in one of these solvents in the standard manner. (C) The concentration of the test chemical is given by the following equations Equation 6 C (molecules cm 3) = 6.022 x 1023 mass (gms)/FW (Vd) Equation 6 a C (molecules cm 3) = 6.022 x 1023 Vsp/FW (Vd) where Vs is the volume of test chemical delivered into a volume Vd of solvent cubic centimeters, FW is the formula weight of the test chemical in grams, and p is the density of the test chemical in grams per cubic centimeter at the room temperature the solution was prepared. (4) Procedure for obtaining the spectrum. As a general guide to obtaining UV/visible absorption spectra, the procedures outlined in OPPTS 830.7050 are recommended. Since the method presented in this procedure ------- was developed by Pitts et al. (1981), it is recommended that this report be consulted for further details. (i) Determination of the cell pathlength. The method for determin- ing the cell pathlength of gas or liquid cells is left to the discretion of the tester. However, the method listed in OPPTS 830.7050, using one of the reference compounds, is recommended. (ii) Gas phase spectrum. Measure the absorbance of the test chemi- cal in duplicate relative to a matched cell filled with ultra-high purity air from the same cylinder similarly passed through trap (F) containing the molecular sieve. The absorbance should be measured at wavelengths X > 280 nm using minimum slit widths. Record, in duplicate, the baseline when both the same reference cells are filled with high purity air dried through the molecular sieve and at the same settings as used for the test chemical sample. These data will be used to calculate the cross section, a'x, at the appropriate wavelength intervals, centered at wavelength A,, list- ed in Tables 1 through 4, under paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline. (iii) Solution phase spectrum. (A) Measure the absorbance of the test chemical in duplicate relative to a matched cell containing the solvent. The absorbance should be measured for wavelengths A > 280 nm using the minimum slit widths. Record, in duplicate, the baseline when both the sample and reference cells are filled with the solvents. These data will be used to calculate the cross sections, a'x, for the appropriate wavelength intervals, centered at A, listed in Tables 1 through 4 under paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline. (B) The concentration of the test chemical should be in the range where the Beer-Lambert law is obeyed. A check on whether the test chemi- cal obeys this law can be accomplished by demonstrating the constancy of the cross section at three concentrations differing by a factor of 10. (d) Data and reporting—(1) Treatment of results—(i) Determina- tion of the cross section from the gas phase spectrum. (A) The cross section, ax, can be determined from the gas phase absorption spectrum and the Beer-Lambert law in the form Equation 7 ax' = Ax/Cl where AX is the absorbance at wavelength A, centered in the wavelength interval >A, C is the concentration of test chemical in molecules per cubic centimeter, and 1 is the cell pathlength in centimeters. The cross section of the test chemical should be determined for the wavelength intervals listed in Tables 1 through 4 under paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline. 10 ------- (B) There are at least three nondestructive methods of determining the absorbance over a specified wavelength interval: estimation, square counting, and planimetry. For many spectra, estimating an average absorbance over a small wavelength interval is sufficient to yield accurate results. However, for spectra containing rapidly changing absorptions and complex fine structure, square counting or planimetry should be used. These two methods require the integration of a definite region (in AX x nm) followed by division by the width of the region in nm to obtain absorbance. The method using a compensating polar planimeter is the most accurate and is recommended. The absorbance should be obtained from the average of three tracings. (ii) Determination of the cross section from the solution phase spectrum. The cross section, o'x, can be determined from the solution phase spectrum using Equation 7 for the wavelength intervals listed in Tables 1 through 4 under paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline. For solution spectra, estimating an average absorbance over the wavelength intervals is sufficient to yield accurate results. (iii) Estimation of the maximum direct photolysis rate constant and minimum half-life in the gas phase. (A) Using the cross sections obtained from the spectra and the values of Jx from Tables 1-4 under paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline, the maximum direct photolysis rate con- stant (kpE)max can be calculated at a specific latitude and season for the year using Equation 3. The minimum half-life, (ti/2E)min, can be calculated using this (kpE)max in Equation 4. (B) An example is presented in under paragraph (d)(4) of this guide- line, to illustrate how the test data obtained in this section can be used. (2) Test data report, (i) Submit the original chart, or photocopy, containing a plot of absorbance vs. wavelength plus the baseline. Spectra should include a readable wavelength scale, preferably marked at 10 nm intervals. Each spectrum should be clearly marked. (ii) Gas phase spectra. (A) Report the pressure of the test chemical in torr (or kPa), the concentration in molecules per cubic centimeter, and the pathlength of the sample cell in centimeters. Describe the method used to determine the pathlength and report the experimental data. (B) Report the wavelength A,, the wavelength interval for each 10 nm over the region of absorption, the value of the absorbance (Ax) for each replicate, the mean absorbance, and the mean cross section in square centimeters per molecule. (C) Report the estimated maximum direct photolysis rate constant in units of reciprocal days and the corresponding minimum half-life in days at 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50° north latitude for the summer and winter solstices. 11 ------- (iii) Solution phase spectra. (A) Report the concentration of the test chemical in molecules per cubic centimeter, the type of cell used (quartz or borosilicate), and the pathlength in centimeters, the method used to de- termine the pathlength and report the experimental results. (B) Report the identity of the solvent. (C) Report the wavelength A,, the wavelength interval over the region of absorption, the value of the absorbance (Ax) of each replicate, the mean absorbance, and the mean cross section square centimeter per molecule. (D) Report the estimated maximum direct photolysis rate constant in days * and the corresponding minimum half-life in days at 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50° north latitude for the summer and winter solstices. (iv) Report the name, structure, and purity of the test chemical. (v) Submit a recent spectrum on appropriate reference chemicals for photometric and wavelength accuracy. (vi) Report the name and model of the spectrophotometer used. (vii) Report the various control settings employed with the spectrophotometer. These might include scan speed, slit width, given, etc. (viii) Report anything unusual about the test; e.g. if the Beer-Lambert law is not obeyed at a pressure of 1 to 5 torr (0.13 to 0.65 kPa), report the pressure at which the deviation was overcome and the experimental data. If the Beer-Lambert law is not obeyed in solution at high concentra- tions, report the concentration at which the deviation was overcome and the experimental data. (ix) Report any other relevant information. (3) Tables of solar irradiance Table 1—Jx Values at20°N. Latitude Wavelength centerb 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 Summer sol- stice a 0.000081 1 0.0810 1 10 2.74 4.82 527 5.94 6.22 776 7.60 7.77 106 13.5 14.1 143 15.8 18.2 197 20.2 Equinox3 0.00000131 0.0611 09148 2.35 4.20 461 5.22 5.47 684 6.71 6.88 944 12.0 12.5 127 14.1 16.2 175 18.1 Winter sol- stice a 0.000000108 0.0212 0499 1.52 2.90 328 3.77 4.01 506 5.02 5.19 7 17 9.17 9.65 985 11.0 12.7 137 14.2 Wave- length cen- terb 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 Fall or winter average a 0.000000896 0.0359 0663 1.855 3.42 382 4.36 4.61 579 5.71 5.88 8 10 10.3 10.8 11 1 12.2 14.1 153 15.8 Spring or summer aver- age3 0.0000625 0.0769 1 05 2.62 4.63 506 5.71 5.98 746 7.31 7.48 102 13.0 13.6 137 15.2 17.5 189 19.5 Wavelength cen- ter* 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 12 ------- Table 1—Jx Values at 20 °N. Latitude— Continued Wavelength centerb 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Summer sol- stice a 20.5 206 20.9 21.1 21 1 21.3 21.2 21 1 21.3 21.6 22 1 22.3 22.5 226 22.6 22.6 23 1 23.6 24.0 243 24.3 24.3 242 24.1 23.9 238 23.6 23.5 233 23.2 23.1 229 22.8 Equinox a 18.3 184 18.7 18.8 189 19.0 19.0 188 19.0 19.3 197 19.9 20.0 202 20.1 20.1 206 21.1 21.4 21 7 21.7 21.7 21 7 21.5 21.4 21 3 21.1 21.0 209 20.8 20.6 205 20.4 Winter sol- stice a 14.4 145 14.8 14.9 149 15.1 15.0 149 15.1 15.3 157 15.8 15.9 160 16.1 16.2 166 16.9 17.2 174 17.5 17.5 175 17.4 17.3 172 17.2 17.1 170 16.9 16.8 167 16.7 Wave- length cen- terb 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Fall or winter average a 16.0 16 1 16.4 16.4 165 16.7 16.6 165 16.7 16.9 173 17.5 17.6 177 17.7 17.7 182 18.6 18.9 192 19.2 19.2 192 19.1 19.0 189 18.8 18.7 186 18.5 18.4 183 18.2 Spring or summer aver- age3 19.8 198 20.2 20.3 203 20.5 20.4 203 20.5 20.8 21 2 21.5 21.6 21 8 21.8 21.7 223 22.8 23.1 234 23.4 23.4 230 23.2 23.0 229 22.8 22.6 225 22.3 22.2 22 1 21.9 Wavelength cen- ter* 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 aJx values are in units of 1019 photons cm-2 day-1. b Wavelength intervals are uniformly 10 nm wide, extending from 5 nm lower than the center wavelength to 5 nm higher. Thus, the first interval centered on 290 extends from 285-295 nm Table 2—Jx Values at 30° N. Latitude Wavelength center* 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 Summer sol- stice a 0 0000768 0.0831 1 14 284 5.02 549 628 6.49 809 793 8.12 11 1 14 1 14.7 149 165 19.0 206 21 2 21.5 21 5 21 9 22.1 22 1 223 22.1 22 1 226 22.6 23 1 23.3 Equinox a 0 00000203 0.0457 0787 2 13 3.88 430 488 5.15 645 625 6.53 897 11 4 12.- 122 135 15.5 168 173 17.6 177 180 18.1 18 1 183 18.2 18 1 183 18.6 190 19.2 Winter solstice3 0 00000021 3 0.00835 0300 1 06 2.13 248 289 3.10 395 395 4.12 573 737 7.81 800 894 10.4 11 3 11 7 11.9 120 122 12.3 124 125 12.4 124 125 12.7 130 13.2 Wave- length cen- ter b 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 Fall or winter avg.a 0 000000457 0.0208 0480 1 47 2.81 3 19 368 3.91 494 491 5.08 702 899 9.46 966 108 12.4 135 139 14.2 143 145 14.6 147 148 14.7 147 148 15.1 154 15.6 Spring or summer avg.a 0 0000352 0.0704 1 02 260 4.62 508 574 6.02 751 737 7.55 104 132 13.7 139 154 17.8 192 198 20.1 20 1 205 20.6 207 209 20.6 206 208 21.1 21 6 21.8 Wavelength cen- ter* 290 300 310 320 330 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 13 ------- Table 2—Jx Values at 30° N. Latitude—Continued Wavelength center* 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Summer sol- stice a 23.5 237 23.6 23.6 242 24.7 25.1 254 25.4 25.4 253 25.2 25.0 249 24.7 24.6 244 24.3 24.1 240 23.8 Equinox3 19.3 195 19.3 19.2 198 20.4 20.7 21 0 21.0 21.0 21 0 20.8 20.7 206 20.5 20.4 203 20.1 20.0 199 19.8 Winter solstice3 13.3 134 13.6 13.7 140 14.2 14.4 147 14.7 14.8 148 14.7 14.6 146 14.5 14.5 144 14.3 14.3 142 14.2 Wave- length cen- ter b 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Fall or winter avg.a 15.7 158 15.9 16.0 163 16.7 16.9 172 17.2 17.3 173 17.2 17.1 170 16.9 16.8 168 16.7 16.6 165 16.4 Spring or summer avg.a 22.0 22 1 22.1 22.1 226 23.1 23.5 238 23.8 23.8 237 23.6 23.4 233 23.2 23.0 229 22.7 22.6 225 22.3 Wavelength cen- ter1- 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 aJxvalues are in units of 1019 photons cm-2 day-1. b Wavelength intervals are uniformly 10 nm wide, extending from 5 nm lower than the center wavelength to 5 nm higher. Thus, the first interval centered on 290 extends from 285-295 nm Table 3—J, Values at 40° N. Latitude Wavelength center* 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 Summer sol- stice a 1 36 x 1 0-5 0.0769 1 12 287 5.11 562 635 6.61 832 8 17 8.37 11 5 146 15.2 155 17 1 19.7 21 3 220 22.3 223 227 22.9 229 232 23.0 229 23 1 23.5 240 242 24.4 246 245 24.5 25 1 257 26.1 264 263 26.4 264 26.2 Equinox a 1 21 x 10-7 0.0293 0618 1 81 3.41 383 439 4.65 586 580 5.99 826 105 11.1 11 3 125 14.5 157 162 16.5 166 169 17.0 170 172 17.1 170 172 17.4 178 180 18.2 183 183 18.3 188 192 19.5 198 199 19.9 199 19.8 Winter solstice a 615x1 0-10 0.00145 0 132 0591 1.31 1 58 1 88 2.05 264 267 2.82 397 5 15 5.51 669 641 7.47 8 15 851 8.74 883 899 9.07 9 14 924 9.18 9 15 923 9.38 962 979 9.85 993 102 10.2 105 107 10.9 11 1 11 1 11.2 11 3 11.2 Wave- length cen- terb 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 Fall or winter avg.a 814x10-8 0.00939 0298 1 04 2.90 243 284 3.05 388 388 4.05 564 726 7.69 789 882 10.2 11 1 11 5 11.8 11 9 12 1 12.2 123 124 12.3 123 124 12.6 129 13 1 13.2 132 134 13.5 138 14 1 14.3 145 146 14.6 147 14.6 Spring or summer avg.a 3 49 x 1 0-6 0.0587 0940 249 4.49 477 564 5.93 743 730 7.50 103 13 1 13.9 154 178 19.2 198 20 1 20.2 206 207 20.8 21 0 21 0 20.8 207 209 21.2 21 9 21 9 22.1 222 222 22.1 227 233 23.6 240 240 24.0 240 23.9 Wavelength cen- ter* 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 14 ------- Table 3—Jx Values at 40° N. Latitude—Continued Wavelength center* 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Summer sol- stice a 26 1 25.9 258 25.6 255 25.3 25.2 250 24.8 Equinox a 197 19.6 195 19.4 193 19.2 19.1 190 1.89 Winter solstice a 11 2 11.2 11 2 11.2 11 2 11.3 11.3 11 2 11.2 Wave- length cen- terb 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Fall or winter avg.a 146 14.5 145 14.4 144 14.3 14.3 142 14.1 Spring or summer avg.a 237 23.5 234 23.3 23 1 23.0 22.4 227 22.6 Wavelength cen- terb 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 aJx values are in units of 1019 photons cm-2 day-1. b Wavelength intervals are uniformly 10nm wide, extending from 5 nm lower than the center wavelength to 5 nm higher. Thus, the first interval centered on 290 extends from 285-295 nm Table 4—Jx Values at 50° N. Latitude Wavelength center* 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Summer sol- stice a 0 000001 85 00635 1.05 281 5.10 564 6.41 670 8.46 832 8.56 11 8 15.0 15.7 159 17.6 203 22.0 227 23.1 23 1 23.5 237 23.8 240 238 23.7 240 24.3 248 25.1 253 25.5 254 25.3 260 26.7 27.1 275 27.5 275 27.5 273 27.2 270 26.9 267 26.6 264 263 2.61 26.0 Equinox3 0 000000200 00140 0.423 1 41 2.78 3 19 3.70 396 5.03 501 5.21 722 9.27 9.79 100 11.2 129 14.0 145 14.8 150 15.2 153 15.4 156 155 15.4 155 15.8 16 1 16.4 165 16.6 168 17.0 173 17.6 17.8 18 1 18.2 182 18.2 18 1 18.1 180 17.9 178 17.8 177 176 17.5 17.4 Winter solstice a 00000000112 0 0000681 0.321 0214 0.555 0711 0.864 0953 1.25 1 28 1.37 1 95 2.57 2.79 292 3.33 392 4.31 454 4.70 478 4.88 494 4.98 505 502 5.01 504 5.11 527 5.38 542 5.47 561 5.77 593 6.10 6.24 639 6.47 656 6.64 667 6.72 675 6.78 682 6.82 682 682 6.80 6.80 Wave- length cen- terb 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 Fall or winter avg.a 0 0000000391 0 00296 0.147 0610 1.33 1 59 1.88 204 2.63 266 2.80 393 5.09 5.45 562 6.33 737 8.05 840 8.62 872 8.87 900 9.03 9 12 907 9.05 9 11 9.26 950 9.66 973 9.80 996 10.1 104 10.6 10.8 11 0 11.0 11 1 11.2 11 2 11.2 11 2 11.2 11 1 11.1 11 1 11 1 11.0 11.0 Spring or summer avg.a 000000152 00433 0.810 228 4.23 473 5.40 571 7.18 709 7.31 10 1 12.8 13.5 137 15.2 176 19.0 197 20.0 20 1 20.4 206 20.6 208 207 20.6 208 21.1 21 6 21.8 220 22.1 22 1 22.1 227 23.3 23.6 240 24.0 240 24.0 299 23.8 236 23.5 234 23.3 23 1 230 22.9 22.8 Wavelength cen- ter* 290 300 310 320 330 340 360 350 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 aJx values are in units of 1019 photons cm-2 day -1. b Wavelength intervals are uniformly 10 nm wide, extending from 5 nm lower than the center wavelength to 5 nm higher. Thus, the first interval centered on 290 extends from 285-295 nm 15 ------- (4) Example of application of methodology, (i) Consider a chemical plant located in Freeport, Texas, which produces acrolein (CH2=CHCHO) continuously every day of the year. Despite the fact that all acrolein wastes, including vented vapors, are treated in a waste-treatment plant, some acrolein escapes into the atmosphere. The chemical plant is located at 29° north latitude. Estimate the maximum sunlight direct photolysis rate constant and the corresponding minimum half-life in the atmosphere in the vicinity of the plant for the winter and summer season solstices under clear sky conditions. (ii) The vapor phase spectrum of acrolein was obtained by the proce- dure outlined in this test method and is depicted in the following Figure 3: FIGURE 3—GAS PHASE ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF ACROLEIN > 0.04 r 430 The spectral data were taken from the work of Pitts et al. (1981) under paragraph (d)(2) of this guideline. The pathlength of the sample gas ab- sorption cell was measured according to the recommended procedure and was found to be 9.98 cm. The gas absorption cell contained 6.52 x 1016 molecules cm of acrolein. A compensating polar planimeter was used to integrate each 10 nm interval throughout the region of absorp- tion from 285 nm to 425 nm in both the sample and blank spectra. Based on triplicate measurements, one square, corresponding to 0.001 absorbance units (A), was found to be 0.148 vernier units (v.u.). The mean absorbance (Ax) was obtained from these spectra and the mean cross section (tf'x) was obtained using Equation 7 under paragraph (d)(l)(i)(A) of this guide- line for each wavelength interval, centered at A,. All the results are summa- rized in the following Table 5: 16 ------- Table 5—Absorbance and Cross Section for Acrolein Vapor1 Wavelength X (nm) 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 Wavelength interval (nm) 285-295 295-305 305-315 315-325 325-335 335-345 345-355 355-365 365-375 375-385 385-395 395-405 405-415 415-425 Mean absorbance (AX) 0.0037 0.0066 00104 0.0137 0.0156 00156 0.0151 0.0096 00073 0.0031 0.0016 00004 0.0003 0.0000 Mean cross section o\) (cm2 molecule-1) 5.69 x 10-21 1.01 x ID-20 1 60 x 1 0-20 2.11 x ID-20 2.40 x 10-20 2 40 x 1 0-20 2.32 x 10-20 1.48 x 10-20 112x1 0-20 4.76 x 10-2i 2.46 x 10-2i 615x1 0-22 4.61 x 10-22 0.00 1 6.52 x 1Qi6 molecules cm-3 in a 9.98 cm gas absorption cell (iii) A sample calculation is given for the wavelength X = 305 nm, centered over the wavelength interval 345 to 355 nm. For convenience, the area A, corresponding to 100 squares was blocked off in this absorp- tion area and was not integrated with the planimeter. The average vernier reading of the remaining absorption area was 7.2 v.u. Hence, 7.2 v.u./(0. 148 v.u./square) = 49 squares and the total area in the spectrum in the wavelength interval 345 to 355, centered at X = 350 nm, is 149 squares. This number of squares cor- responds to 0.0149 absorbance units: (149 squares)(0.001 A/square)/10 = 0.0149 A From the blank spectrum, the baseline absorbance (Ax blank) over this interval was -0.0001. The sample trace lay at -0.0001 absorbance units relative to a zero point at 450 nm. The observed sample absorbance is then equal to 0.0150 (0.0149 + 0.0001). The absolute corrected absorbance for the sample is given by ** Xsample •*»• Xsample AcorrXsample = 0.0150 - (-0.001) = 0.0151 A (iv) Using Equation 7 under paragraph (d)(l)(i)(A) of this guideline and the values for the corrected sample absorbance, 1, and C, the mean cross section for the wavelength X = 350 nm, centered over the wavelength interval 345-355 nm, is a'?i = 0.01517(6.52 x 1016 molecules cm 3) (9.98cm) = 2.3 x 10 20 cm2molecule ! (v) Since the plant is located at 29° north latitude, the closest Jx val- ues are at 30° north latitude. These values are obtained from Table 2 under 17 ------- paragraph (d)(3) of this guideline and are summarized in Table 6 for the summer and winter season solstices. Using the data in Tables 5 and 6 under paragraph (d)(4)(ii) of this guideline, the products a?Jx are cal- culated for each wavelength interval, centered at A,, and the results are summarized in the following Table 6 for each of the solstices: Summer (kpE)max = 16.9days-i (ti/2)mm = 0.041 days Winter (kpE)max = 7.60 days-i (ti/2)max = 0.091 days The terms Ła?Jx are also summarized for each solstice at the bottom of Table 6. Using these data in Equations 3 and 4 yields: (ti/2) Summer ax= 16.9days-i m = 0.041 days Winter (kpE)max = 7.60 days-i (ti/2)mm = 0.091 days Thus, acrolein transforms rapidly under clear sky conditions in the vicinity of the plant at Freeport, Texas on the summer and winter season solstices Table 6—Calculation of ^fpE)max For Acrolein Vapor; Rate at 30 °N On Winter and Summer Solstices Wavelength X (nm) 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 Wavelength interval (nm) 285-295 295-305 305-315 315-325 325-335 335-345 345-355 355-365 365-375 375-385 385-395 395-405 405-415 415-425 Summer solstice Jx photons (cm-2 day-') 1.0 x 1015 8.31 x1017 1.14x 1019 2.84 x1019 5.02 x 1019 5.49 x1019 6.28 x 1019 6.49 x 1019 8.09 x1019 7.93 x 1019 8.12 x1019 1.11 x 1020 1.41 x1020 1.47 x 1020 o'xJx (day -') 0.000 0.008 0.182 0.599 1.205 1.318 1.457 0.961 0.906 0.378 0.200 0.068 0.065 0.000 So'xJx = 7.347 Winter solstice Jx photons (cm-2 day-1) 2.1 x 1012 8.35 x1016 3.00 x 1018 1.06x1019 2.13 x 1019 2.48 x1019 2.89 x 1019 3.10 x 1019 3.95 x1019 3.95 x 1019 4.12 x1019 5.73 x 1019 7.37 x1019 7.81 x 1019 o'xJx (day -') 0.000 0.001 0.048 0.224 0.511 0.595 0.671 0.459 0.442 0.188 0.101 0.035 0.034 0.000 So'xJx = 3.304 (5) Operation of the gas handling system. The following procedure briefly describes the recommended typical and detailed operation of a gas handling system (i) Close all stopcocks and turn on the rotary pump (A). Open stop- cock 4 and place a Dewar containing liquid nitrogen around trap (D). Measure the pressure with the thermocouple gauge HI. When the pressure is less than 0.1 torr (0.013 kPa) open stopcocks 5 and 10, pump out this portion of the manifold, and measure the pressure with the thermocouple gauge H2. When the pressure falls below 10 2 torr (1.3 x 10 3 kPa), open stopcock 7 and evacuate F containing activated Linde Molecular Sieve 4A or an equivalent grade. Heat F to approximately 150 °C for 1 to 2 18 ------- hours under vacuum until the pressure falls to less than 10 2 torr (1.3 x 10 3 kPa) as measured on thermocouple gauge H2. Open stopcocks 6, 9, and 11 and pump until H2 falls below 10 2 torr (1.3 x 10 3 kPa). (ii) Turn on the diffusion pump (C) and when this pump has reached operating temperature, open stopcocks 2 and 3 and close stopcock 4. Pump on the manifold until the pressure is <10 5 torr (1.3 x 10 6 kPa) as meas- ured by the ionization gauge (I) and zero on the capacitance manometer (G). It should be noted that the ionization gauge (I) should only be used when H2 indicates a pressure less than 10 2 torr (1.3 x 10 3 kPa). (iii) It is good practice, after the gas phase spectrum has been ob- tained, to evacuate the gas absorption cell (K) and the trap (F) prior to shutting down the gas handling system. The gas handling system can be shut down by the following procedure: (A) closing stopcocks 5 to 11; (B) switching off the diffusion pump; (C) closing stopcocks 2 and 3 and opening 4, after the diffusion pump is cool; (D) removing the Dewar from trap (D) and allowing it to warm up; (E) then closing stopcock 4 and switching off the rotary pump; and (F) opening stopcock 1 to admit air to the rotary pump, thus preventing suck-back of the rotary pump oil. With this procedure, the vacuum manifold, the trap (D), and the diffusion pump are left under vacuum. The method of cleaning the liquid reservoir (J) is left to the discretion of the tester. However, as a final step it should be cleaned with reagent grade methanol or dichloromethane as solvent and dried. It is then ready for use. In operating a vacuum system with the diffusion pump working, do not expose the diffusion pump to pressures >0.1 torr of air (1.3 x 10 2 kPa) to avoid the degradation of the pump oil (e) References. The following references should be consulted for ad- ditional background information on this test guideline: (1) Environmental Protection Agency. Mill, T. et al., Section 5. Pho- tolysis in Air, by J.E., Davenport, Toxic Substances Process Generation and Protocol Development. Work Assignment 12, Draft final report. (Ath- ens, Georgia, and Washington, DC, 1984). (2) Mill, T. et al., Laboratory Protocols for Evaluating the Fate of Organic Chemicals in Air and Water. Chapter 5. EPA 600/3-82-022 (1982). (3) Pitts, J.N., Jr. et al., Experimental Protocol for Determining Ab- sorption Cross Sections of Organic Chemicals, EPA Report No. 600/3- 81-051 (1981). 19 ------- |