Photosensitizing properties of water-extractable organic matter from soils.

Highlights: [•] Organic matter was extracted by pure water from two black soils and IHSS Elliott soil. [•] Reactive species generated upon irradiation of these WEOMs were quantified. [•] The quantum yields are comparable to those of IHSS humic substances or even higher. [•] WEOMs photosensitized the degradation of bisphenol A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]