Photolysis of 2- and 4-chlorophenol samples in water ice of the initial concentrations 10(-7) to 10(-2) mol L(-1) is reported. Major phototransformations appeared to be based on the coupling reactions due to chlorophenol aggregation at the grain boundaries of the polycrystalline state. The main products, chlorobiphenyldiols, belong to the family of phenolic halogenated compounds (such as hydroxylated polychlorobiphenyls) that are known xenobiotics found in nature. No photosolvolysis products, that is products from intermolecular reactions between organic and water molecules, were observed at temperatures below -10 degrees C. Raising the temperature to -5 degrees C caused a moderate photosolvolytic activity in the case of 4-chlorophenol (formation of hydroquinone), in contrast to 2-chlorophenol which was almost exclusively transformed into pyrocatechol. It is suggested that photosolvolysis above this temperature occurs in a liquid or quasi-liquid layer that covers the ice crystal surfaces. The results support our model in which significant amounts of some persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds may be generated by photochemistry of primary pollutants in cold ecosystems and in the upper atmosphere, and may be subsequently released to the environment.