Hydroxyl Radical: a Key Species in Atmospheric Reaction

Rapid industrialization and urbanization result in accumulation of verities of pollutants in the atmosphere which have significant detrimental effects on both biotic and abiotic components of the environment. One of the natural defence mechanisms for the removal of pollutants is the involvement of hydroxyl radical (.OH), a potent reactive oxygen species in the atmosphere. It is generated either through photo-dissociation reactions or through some photocatalytic reactions. It acts as a strong oxidant causing destruction or transformation of both organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment. However its presence in excess can cause degradation of lipid-protein complex of biomembranes and other biomolecules possibly through membrane lipid peroxidation