The percentage reduction in the concentration of a pesticide in wastewater can be used to estimate the exposure time of the water to UV radiation. Under standard conditions, there is a linear relationship between the duration of UV exposure and the percentage reduction of the pesticide.
The graph below represents the line of best fit for the percentage reduction in pesticide concentration plotted against the UV exposure time in hours for a series of trial samples.
Calculate the rate of pesticide concentration reduction per hour using the line of best fit shown in the graph. Give your answer to three significant figures.
The degradation rate under UV exposure can vary by as much as 12% depending on the initial turbidity of the wastewater sample. Use the graph to calculate the estimated exposure time required to achieve a 10.2% reduction in pesticide concentration (indicated by the plotted data point), and the range of hours over which this estimate may vary.
