Seawater as a photochemical reaction medium

For the most part, studies in classical solution photochemistry have been conducted under conditions where experimental variables are limited to as few as possible in order to obtain the most unambiguous information from the experiment. Operationally, the experimentalist sets the conditions which are best suited to the particular problem. This approach certainly has its place in marine photochemistry when one attempts to elucidate a particular process, but caution must be used in extrapolating the results of studies where considerable deviation from prevailing natural conditions have heen employed. Extensive liberties have been taken with regard to this point, with the result that the literature now contains many references which were done under the guise of environmental photochemistry, which probably have little or no relevance with regard to the natural environment. It is probably not of value to belabor this point further instead some aspects of seawater which make it a unique photochemical reaction medium will be considered. 

A comparison of the conditions usually chosen in classical solution 

Comparison of typical reaction conditions for classical solution and marine photochemistry 

Property Classical solution photochemistry Marine photochemistry 

Wavelength of radiation usually specified by of studied compound polychromatic, width dependent on depth and location 

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