Environmental Implications of Hydroxyl Radicals ( • OH)

The hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) is one of the most powerful oxidizing agents, able to react unselectively and instantaneously with the surrounding chemicals, including organic pollutants and inhibitors. The (•)OH radicals are omnipresent in the environment (natural waters, atmosphere, interstellar space, etc.), including biological systems where (•)OH has an important role in immunity metabolism. We provide an extensive view on the role of hydroxyl radical in different environmental compartments and in laboratory systems, with the aim of drawing more attention to this emerging issue. Further research on processes related to the hydroxyl radical chemistry in the environmental compartments is highly demanded. A…