THE EFFECTS OF HIGH ENERGY RADIATIONS ON WATER AND AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

Abstract

Radiation chemistry is a study of the chemical effects produced by the high energy particles and quanta usually associated with nuclear mutations. When water absorbs this kind of radiation, it is decomposed into hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide. The primary act of absorption is thought to result in the production of hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals which then react to give the decomposition products. In dilute aqueous solutions the effects of radiation can generally be explained from a consideration of the probable effects of hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals on the solute. This is true when the solute consists of biologically active material. Since biological systems consist largely of water, the "indirect effect" that radiation has upon them through the medium of atoms and radicals produced in the water is very important. In this laboratory an attempt is being made to gain information about the "indirect effect" by investigating the properties of irradiated water. Evidence has been obtained for the production of long lived activity in irradiated water which may be attributed to vibrationally excited "polymers" of water. The extraordinary efficiency of the indirect effect" of radiation is possibly related to properties of these excited polymers.