Assessment of the generation of chlorinated byproducts upon Fenton-like oxidation of chlorophenols at different conditions

Ianasi) P, Ianăşi C, Duda Seiman DM, Muntean D, Boeriu E. Advanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Cytarabine from Pharmaceutical Wastewaters

The need to develop advanced wastewater treatment techniques and their use has become a priority, the main goal being the efficient removal of pollutants, especially those of organic origin. This study presents the photo-degradation of a pharmaceutical wastewater containing Kabi cytarabine, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and a synthesized catalyst, a composite based on bismuth and iron oxides (BFO). The size of the bandgap was determined by UV spectroscopy, having a value of 2.27 eV. The specific surface was determined using the BET method, having a value of 0.7 m2 g-1. The material studied for the photo-degradation of cytarabine presents a remarkable photo-degradation efficiency of 97.9% for an initial concentration 0f 10 mg/L cytarabine Kabi when 0.15 g of material was used, during 120 min of interaction with UV radiation at 3 cm from the irradiation source. The material withstands five photo-degradation cycles with good results. At the same time, through this study, it was possible to establish that pyrimidine derivatives could be able to combat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Candida parapsilosis.

Fenton-like system of UV/Glucose-oxidase@Kaolin coupled with organic green rust: UV-enhanced enzyme activity and the mechanism of UV synergistic degradation of photosensitive pollutants

This study introduces the UV/glucose-oxidase@Kaolin (GOD@Kaolin) coupled organic green rust (OGR) system (UV/OGR/GOD@Kaolin) to investigate the promotion of glucose oxidase activity by UV light and its synergistic degradation mechanism for photosensitive pollutants, specifically targeting the efficient degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). The enzyme system demonstrates its ability to overcome drawbacks associated with traditional Fenton systems, including a narrow pH range and high localized concentration of H2O2, by gradually releasing hydrogen peroxide in situ within a neutral environment. In the presence of UV radiation under specific conditions, enhanced enzyme activity is observed, resulting in increased efficiency in pollutant removal. The gradual release of hydrogen peroxide plays a crucial role in preventing unwanted reactions among active substances. These unique features facilitate the generation of highly reactive species, such as Fe(IV)O, •OH, and •O2-, tailored to efficiently target the organic components of interest. Additionally, the system establishes a positive iron cycle, ensuring a sustained reactive capability throughout the degradation process. The results highlight the UV/OGR/GOD@Kaolin system as an effective and environmentally friendly approach for the degradation of 4-CP, and the resilience of the enzyme extends the system's applicability to a broader range of scenarios.

Photo-Fenton oxidation of cylindrospermopsin at neutral pH with LEDs

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a potent cyanobacterial toxin found in freshwaters worldwide. In this work, the feasibility of the photo-Fenton process under neutral pH using light emitting diodes as irradiation source for the removal of this hazardous cyanotoxin from freshwater was investigated. The impact of the kind of iron chelating agent (ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid vs. ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid) as well as the effect of the main operating conditions viz. H₂O₂ dose, Fe(III) load, initial CYN concentration, and Fe(III):EDDS molar ratio on the performance of the process was systematically evaluated. EDDS was selected as the most appropriate iron chelating agent considering the kinetics of the process and the environmental impact (Vibrio fischeri and Artemia salina). Under optimized conditions ([H₂O₂] = 30 mg L^-1; [Fe(III)] = 5 mg L^-1; Fe(III):ligand = 1:0.5 (molar ratio)), complete removal of CYN was achieved in 15-min reaction time. Furthermore, the catalytic system showed to be effective in real water matrices (river and reservoir waters) spiked with CYN. Although the presence of inorganic ions (mainly HCO₃^-/CO₃^2-) and dissolved organic carbon decreased the oxidation rate of CYN due to scavenging reactions and iron coordination, respectively, complete elimination of the cyanotoxin was achieved in all cases. The fate of EDDS along the process was also evaluated to demonstrate that the catalytic system investigated, apart from its effectiveness, warrants the complete absence of residues after reaction. Therefore, the proposed system constitutes a promising method for cyanotoxin treatment either as a drinking water treatment step in conventional plants or as a potential remediation strategy in the natural environment.

The in-depth revelation of the mechanism by which a downflow Leersia hexandra Swartz constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell synchronously removes Cr(VI) and p-chlorophenol and generates electricity

The composite pollution by Cr(VI) and p-chlorophenol (4-CP) has high toxicity and harms water safety. However, research on the effective removal of Cr(VI) and 4-CP composite-polluted wastewater (C&P) and efficient synchronous electricity generation with reclaimed resources is limited. In this study, a downflow Leersia hexandra constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (DLCW-MFC) was builded to treat C&P, as well as wastewater singularly polluted by Cr(VI) (SC) and 4-CP (SP), respectively, to reveal the mechanism by which DLCW-MFC treats C&P and synchronously generates electricity. The results demonstrate that the cathode layer had a stronger removal effect on pollutants than the middle layer and anode zone layer. Moreover, SC and SP had stronger pollutant removal effects than C&P. Cr(VI) had more competitive with electrons than 4-CP, and they had a synergistic effect on efficient electricity generation. The L.hexandra in SC and SP had a better growth state and lower Cr enrichment concentration than that in C&P. Cr existed in the DLCW-MFC mainly in the form of Cr(III). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to investigate the degradation pathway of 4-CP in C&P, and indicated that Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- and benzoic acid compounds were the main intermediates formed at the cathode, and further mineralized to form medium-long-chain organic compounds to form CO₂. The microbial community distribution results revealed that Simplicispira, Cloacibacterium, and Rhizobium are associated with Cr(VI) removal and 4-CP degradation, and were found to be rich in the cathode of C&P. The anode of C&P was found to have more Acinetobacter (1.34%) and Spirochaeta (4.83%) than SC and SP, and the total relative abundance of electricigens at the anode of C&P (7.46%) was higher than that at the anodes of SC and SP. This study can provide a theoretical foundation for the DLCW-MFC to treat heavy metal and chlorophenol composite-polluted wastewater and synchronously generate electricity.

Fate of phthalate esters in landfill leachate under subcritical and supercritical conditions and determination of transformation products

The hypothesis of this study is that the complex organic load of landfill leachate could be reduced by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) in a single stage, but this operation could lead to the formation of some undesired by-products of phthalate esters (PAEs). In this context, the fate of selected PAEs, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), was investigated during the oxidation of leachate under subcritical and supercritical conditions. Experiments were conducted at various temperatures (250-500 °C), pressures (10-35 MPa), residence times (2-18 min) and dimensionless oxidant doses (DOD: 0.2-2.3). The SCWO process decreased the leachate's chemical oxygen demand (COD) from 34,400 mg/L to 1,120 mg/L (97%). Removal efficiencies of DEHP and DNOP with longer chains were higher than BBP. The DEHP, DNOP and BBP compounds were removed in the range of -35 to 100%, -18 to 92%, and 28 to 36%, respectively, by the SCWO process. Many non-target PAEs were qualitatively detected in the raw leachate apart from the selected PAEs. Besides, 97% of total PAEs including both target and non-target PAEs was mineralized at 15 MPa, 300 °C and 5 min. Although PAEs were highly mineralized during SCWO of the leachate, aldehyde, ester, amide and amine-based phthalic substances were frequently detected as by-products. These by-products have transformed into higher molecular weight by-products with binding reactions as a result of complex SCWO process chemistry. It has also been determined that some non-target PAEs such as 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2-methylpropyl)ester and bis(2-ethylhexyl) isophthalate can transform to the DEHP. Therefore, the suggested pathway in this study for PAEs degradation during the SCWO of the leachate includes substitution and binding reactions as well as an oxidation reaction.

Insights into the degradation of microplastics by Fenton oxidation: From surface modification to mineralization

This work aims at evaluating the fate of microplastics (MPs) along Fenton oxidation. For such goal, realistic MPs (150-250 μm) of five representative polymer types (PET, PE, PVC, PP and EPS) were obtained from commercial plastic products by cryogenic milling. Experiments (7.5 h) were performed under relatively severe operating conditions: T = 80 °C; pH₀ = 3; [H₂O₂]₀ = 1000 mgL^-1 (15 doses, 1 every 0.5 h); [Fe³⁺]₀ = 10 mgL^-1 (5 doses, 1 every 1.5 h). Slight MPs weight losses (∼10%) were achieved after Fenton oxidation regardless the MP nature. Nevertheless, oxidation yield clearly increased with decreasing the particle size given their higher exposed surface area (up to 20% weight loss with 20-50 μm EPS MPs). Clearly, MPs suffered important changes in their surface due to the introduction of oxygenated groups, which made them more acidic and hydrophilic. Furthermore, MPs progressively reduced their size. In fact, they can be completely oxidized to CO₂, as demonstrated in the oxidation of PS nanoplastics (140 nm), where 70% mineralization was achieved. The nature of the plastic particles had a relevant impact on its overall oxidation, being more prone to be oxidized those polymers which contain aromatic rings in their structures (EPS and PET) compared to those formed by alkane chains (PE, PP and PVC). In the latter, the presence of substituents also reduced their oxidation potential. Remarkably, possible leachates released along reaction were more quickly oxidized than the MPs/NPs, so it can be assumed that these dissolved compounds would be completely removed once the solid particles are eliminated. Notably, the leachates obtained upon MPs oxidation were more biodegradable than the released from the fresh solids. All this knowledge is crucial for the understanding of MPs oxidation by the Fenton process and opens the door for the design and optimization of this technology either for water treatment or for analytical purposes (MPs isolation).

Recent advances in the abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chlorinated-VOCs by non-thermal plasma technology: A review

Most of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and especially the chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs), are regarded as major pollutants due to their properties of volatility, diffusivity and toxicity which pose a significant threat to human health and the eco-environment. Catalytic degradation of VOCs and Cl-VOCs to harmless products is a promising approach to mitigate the issues caused by VOCs and Cl-VOCs. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) assisted catalysis is a promising technology for the efficient degradation of VOCs and Cl-VOCs with higher selectivity under relatively mild conditions compared with conventional thermal catalysis. This review summarises state-of-the-art research of the in plasma catalysis (IPC) of VOCs degradation from three major aspects including: (i) the design of catalysts, (ii) the strategies of deep catalytic degradation and by-products inhibition, and (iii) the fundamental research into mechanisms of NTP activated catalytic VOCs degradation. Particular attention is also given to Cl-VOCs due to their characteristic properties of higher stability and toxicity. The catalysts used for the degradation Cl-VOCs, chlorinated by-products formation and the degradation mechanism of Cl-VOCs are systematically reviewed in each chapter. Finally, a perspective on future challenges and opportunities in the development of NTP assisted VOCs catalytic degradation were discussed.

Optimization of physico-chemical and membrane filtration processes to remove high molecular weight polymers from produced water in enhanced oil recovery operations

Polymer flooding is an enhanced oil recovery technique to extract the large portion of leftover subsurface oil following conventional extraction methods. In the flooding process, a long-chain polymer, such as partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), is added to the displacing fluid to increase the mobility and extraction of the oil phase. Nevertheless, the challenge of managing produced water from polymer flooding operations is high because residual HPAM results in significantly high viscosity and organic content in the stream. Commonly used methods for produced water treatment, such as gravity settling and flotation, cannot be applied to obtain a purified stream efficiently, while innovative techniques are not yet feasible in practical operations. In this work, a simple method of polymer precipitation prompted by divalent ions is evaluated, optimized, and compared to membrane ultrafiltration. The physico-chemical properties of the HPAM are investigated and polymer precipitation tests are conducted by varying the main operational parameters, including pH, salinity, temperature, calcium and/or magnesium concentration, and polymer concentration. Response surface developed by central composite design method is used to optimize the process and identify the correct dosage of divalent cations coagulants and pH, the two main factors promoting HPAM separation. The removal of HPAM is well-described and maximized (>85%) by the model, which is also validated on three synthetic samples representing real wastewaters from polymer flooding applications. Optimized ultrafiltration, using ceramic membranes with surface pore size of 15 kDa, also shows the ability to remove HPAM effectively from water, but the precipitation method seems to be more versatile and easier to apply. The two processes, precipitation and ultrafiltration, may potentially be used in sequence as they complement each other in several ways.

Piezoelectric polarization promoted spatial separation of photoexcited electrons and holes in two-dimensional g-C3N4 nanosheets for efficient elimination of chlorophenols

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has been proved to be a potential photocatalyst for environment purification, but the high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers leads to the low photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we report the enhanced degradation of chlorophenols by 2D ultrathin g-C₃N₄ nanosheets with intrinsic piezoelectricity through photopiezocatalysis strategy. Under the simultaneous visible-light irradiation and ultrasonic vibration, the 2D g-C₃N₄ presented improved removal efficiency for elimination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) with an apparent rate constant of 6.65 × 10^-2 min^-1, which was 6.7 and 2.2 times of the photocatalysis and piezocatalysis, respectively. The improved removal efficiency was attributed to the sufficient separation of free charges driven by the ultrasound-induced piezoelectric field in the 2D g-C₃N₄, which was demonstrated by the enhanced current response under photopiezocatalysis mode. Additionally, the photopiezocatalysis of 2D g-C₃N₄ was proved to possess well universality for removing different chlorophenols, as well as high durability and dechlorination efficiency. Finally, a possible photopiezocatalytic mechanism for removal of 2,4-DCP was proposed based on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique and the determination of intermediates through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. This work provides a promising strategy for the design of energy-conversion materials towards capturing solar and mechanical energy in ambient environment.

Kinetic modelling for concentration and toxicity changes during the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol by UV/H2O2

This work develops a kinetic model that allow to predict the water toxicity and the main degradation products concentration of aqueous solutions containing 4-chlorophenol oxidised by UV/H₂O₂. The kinetic model was developed grouping degradation products of similar toxicological nature: aromatics (hydroquinone, benzoquinone, 4-chlorocatechol and catechol), aliphatics (succinic, fumaric, maleic and malonic acids) and mineralised compounds (oxalic, acetic and formic acids). The degradation of each group versus time was described as a mathematical function of the rate constant of a second-order reaction involving the hydroxyl radical, the quantum yield of lump, the concentration of the hydroxyl radicals and the intensity of the emitted UV radiation. The photolytic and kinetic parameters characterising each lump were adjusted by experimental assays. The kinetic, mass balance and toxicity equations were solved using the Berkeley Madonna numerical calculation tool. Results showed that 4-chlorophenol would be completely removed during the first hour of the reaction, operating with oxidant molar ratios higher than R = 200 at pH  6.0 and UV = 24 W. Under these conditions, a decrease in the rate of total organic carbon (TOC) removal close to 50% from the initial value was observed. The solution colour, attributed to the presence of oxidation products as p-benzoquinone and hydroquinone, were oxidised to colourless species, that resulted in a decrease in the toxicity of the solutions (9.95 TU) and the aromaticity lost.

Advanced oxidation of landfill leachate: Removal of micropollutants and identification of by-products

Landfill leachate contains several macropollutants and micropollutants that cannot be removed efficiently by conventional treatment processes. Therefore, an advanced oxidation process is a promising step in post or pre-treatment of leachate. In this study, the effects of Fenton and ozone oxidation on the removal of 16 emerging micropollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, alkylphenols and pesticides were investigated. The Fenton and ozone oxidation of the leachate were performed with four (reaction time: 20-90 min, Fe(II) dose: 0.51-2.55 g/L, H₂O₂ dose: 5.1-25.5 g/L and pH: 3-5) and two (ozonation time: 10-130 min and pH: 4-10) independent variables, respectively. Among these operating conditions, reaction time played more significant role (p-value < 0.05) in eliminating di-(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate, 4-nonylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol for both processes. The results showed that Fenton and ozone oxidation processes had a high degradation potential for micropollutants except for the PAHs including four and more rings. Removal efficiencies of micropollutants by ozone and Fenton oxidation were determined in the range of 5-100%. Although the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and some micropollutants such as phthalates were found much higher in the Fenton process than ozonation, the degradation products occurred during the Fenton oxidation were a higher molecular weight. Moreover, the oxidation intermediates for the both processes were found as mainly benzaldehyde, pentanoic acid and hydro cinnamic acid as well as derivatives of naphthalenone and naphthalenediol. Also, acid ester with higher molecular weight, naphthalene-based and phenolic compounds were detected in the Fenton oxidation.

Accelerated FeIII/FeII redox cycle of Fenton reaction system using Pd/NH2-MIL-101(Cr) and hydrogen

In this paper, a novel improvement in the catalytic Fenton reaction system named MHACF-NH₂-MIL-101(Cr) was constructed based on H₂ and Pd/NH₂-MIL-101(Cr). The improved system would result in an accelerated reduction in Fe^III, and provide a continuous and fast degradation efficiency of the 10 mg L^-1 4-chlorophenol which was the model contaminant by using only trace level Fe^II. The activity of Pd/NH₂-MIL-101(Cr) decreased from 100% to about 35% gradually during the six consecutive reaction cycles of 18 h. That could be attributed to the irreversible structural damage of NH₂-MIL-101(Cr).

Comparison of treatability of four different chlorophenol-containing wastewater by pyrite-Fenton process combined with aerobic biodegradation: Role of sludge acclimation

Aerobic biodegradation combined with pyrite-Fenton process was used for the treatment of wastewater containing different chlorophenols (4-CP, 2,3-DCP, 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP). Fenton degradation using pyrite as the low cost iron catalyst was used as a pre-treatment step to lower the toxicity of CPs prior to aerobic biodegradation. Synthetic wastewater spiked directly with either 100 mg/L CPs or pyrite-Fenton pre-treated CPs was fed to the batch bioreactors inoculated with unacclimated or acclimated activated sludge using glucose as the C-source. The results show that the CP biodegradation under aerobic conditions was highly dependent on the type of CP treated. Except for 2,4-DCP, all other CPs investigated caused severe sludge toxicity, and thus significantly hindered glucose degradation by unacclimated sludge. The CP toxicity decreased in the order of: 2,4,6-TCP > 2,3-DCP > 4-CP > 2,4-DCP. The toxic effect was explained through an interaction of CPs with the lipid fraction of cell membrane. While the pyrite-Fenton pre-treatment improved the COD removal efficiency using unacclimated sludge, the sCOD removal efficiency was still less than the control reactor operated with no CP addition. With sludge acclimation, however, the sCOD removal efficiencies increased, and approached 74% for 2,4-DCP, 61% for 4-CP, 56% for 2,4,6-TCP and 46% for 2,3-DCP, suggesting an enhanced biomass tolerance to CP toxicity. On the other hand, the sludge acclimation combined with pyrite Fenton pre-treatment provided the best bioreactor performance for all CPs with the sCOD removal efficiencies reaching 81% for 2,4,6-TCP, 78% for 2,4-DCP, 73% for 4-CP and 62% for 2,3-DCP. This suggests that the dechlorination of CPs with Fenton process, in conjunction with sludge acclimation, not only reduced the sludge toxicity, but also enhanced the bioavailability of CP-containing wastewater for microorganisms, especially for highly chlorinated toxic CPs such as 2,4,6-TCP. Overall, the findings highlight the need for sludge acclimation for effective treatment of chlorophenol-containing wastewater by a combined pyrite-Fenton and aerobic biodegradation system.

Wood preservatives in children's wooden toys from China: Distribution, migration, oral exposure, and risk assessment

A total of 90 wooden toys were collected, and six wood preservatives (chlorophenols and lindane) were analyzed by using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to assess the exposure risk of children to wood preservatives through oral contact with wooden toys. The detection rates of six preservatives ranged from 2.2% to 22.2%. The contents of the preservatives ranged from 0.6 µg/kg to 9.6 µg/kg. 2,4-Dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) had higher detection rates and contents than other preservatives. Thus, their migration behaviors from toys to saliva were further investigated. In 11 positive samples, the max migration ratios of 2,4-DCP and 2,4,6-TCP ranged from 7.1% to 20.3% and from 11.1% to 24.8%, respectively. For children aged 3-36 months, the daily average 2,4-DCP exposure level associated with wooden toys ranged from 2.7 pg/(kg day) to 46.9 pg/(kg day), and the daily average 2,4,6-TCP exposure ranged from 3.6 pg/(kg day) to 69.4 pg/(kg day). The contribution to exposure provided by the saliva mobilization pathway was more than that provided by the ingestion of scraped-off toys, and the exposure level of 2,4,6-TCP was greater than that of 2,4-DCP. The max hazard quotient for 2,4-DCP was 1.9 × 10^-4, and the max cancer risk for 2,4,6-TCP was 1.2 × 10^-9. The above results indicated that although wood preservatives were distributed in wooden toys, exposure arising from directly mouthing these materials currently does not pose unacceptable risks to children.

Duet Fe3C and FeNx Sites for H2O2 Generation and Activation toward Enhanced Electro-Fenton Performance in Wastewater Treatment

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) reaction has been considered as a promising process for real effluent treatments. However, the design of effective catalysts for simultaneous H₂O₂ generation and activation to achieve bifunctional catalysis for O₂ toward •OH production remains a challenge. Herein, a core-shell structural Fe-based catalyst (FeNC@C), with Fe₃C and FeN nanoparticles encapsulated by porous graphitic layers, was synthesized and employed in a HEF system. The FeNC@C catalyst presented a significant performance in degradation of various chlorophenols at various conditions with an extremely low level of leached iron. Electron spin resonance and radical scavenging revealed that •OH was the key reactive species and Fe^IV would play a role at neutral conditions. Experimental and density function theory calculation revealed the dominated role of Fe₃C in H₂O₂ generation and the positive effect of FeN_x sites on H₂O₂ activation to form •OH. Meanwhile, FeNC@C was proved to be less pH dependence, high stability, and well-recycled materials for practical application in wastewater purification.

Abatement of 1,2,4-Trichlorobencene by Wet Peroxide Oxidation Catalysed by Goethite and Enhanced by Visible LED Light at Neutral pH

There is significant environmental concern about chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) in wastewater, surface water, and groundwater due to their low biodegradability and high persistence. In this work, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (124-TCB) was selected as a model compound to study its abatement using wet peroxide oxidation at neutral pH with goethite as a heterogeneous catalyst, which was enhanced with visible monochromatic light-emitting diode (LED) light (470 nm). A systematic study of the main operating variables (oxidant and catalyst concentration and irradiance) was accomplished to investigate their influence in the abatement of 124-TCB in water. The reaction was carried out in a well-mixed reactor of glass irradiated by a visible LED light. The hydrogen peroxide concentration was tested from 0 to 18 mM, the goethite concentration within the range 0.1–1.0 g·L−1 and the irradiance from 0.10 to 0.24 W·cm−2 at neutral pH. It was found that this oxidation method is a very efficient technique to abate 124-TCB, reaching a pollutant conversion of 0.9 when using 0.1 g·L−1 of goethite, 18 mM of H2O2, and 0.24 of W·cm−2. Moreover, the system performance was evaluated using the photonic efficiency (ratio of the moles of 124-TCB abated and the moles of photons arriving at the reactor window). The maximum photonic efficiencies were obtained using the lowest lamp powers and moderate to high catalyst loads.

Changes of dissolved oxygen in aqueous solutions of caffeine oxidized by photo-Fenton reagent

ABSTRACT Formation of oxygen in the caffeine aqueous solutions occurs through self-decomposition reactions of the hydrogen peroxide, used as an oxidant in the photo-Fenton treatment. The total concentration of hydrogen peroxide used in the treatment would be the contribution of the stoichiometric concentration that reacts with the organic matter ([H₂O₂]₀= 2.0 mM) and the excess of oxidant that decomposes to oxygen, through radical mechanisms, according to a ratio of 0.8164 mmol H₂O₂ mg^-1 O₂. When operating at concentrations lower than [H₂O₂]₀= 2.0 mM, oxygen is not released because there is no excess of oxidant. Moreover, it is verified that the ferrous ion catalyst is oxidized to ferric ion and its subsequent regeneration to ferrous ion. Working at concentrations higher than [H₂O₂]₀= 2.0 mM, oxygen is released in the water, verifying that the catalyst remains as ferric species, which does not regenerate. The reaction time in which oxygen evolution happpens depends on the concentration of catalyst used in the oxidation, verifying that the highest oxygen generation rates are obtained when applying [Fe]₀= 10.0 mg L^-1. Once generated in the water, the maximum concentration of oxygen begins to decrease as the hydrogen peroxide is consumed, until reaching a constant value. The stages of formation and decrease of oxygen are adjusted to zero-order kinetics, estimating the kinetics constants as a function of the catalyst concentration: k _f= 29.48 [Fe]₀ ^-1.25 (mg O₂ L^-1 min^-1) and k _d= -0.006 [Fe]₀ ^2.0 + 0.244 [Fe]₀-3.69 (mg O₂ L^-1 min^-1).

Ethylene glycol assisted synthesis of hierarchical Fe-ZSM-5 nanorods assembled microsphere for adsorption Fenton degradation of chlorobenzene

A unique zeolite catalyst, Fe doped ZSM-5 microsphere assembled by uniform nanorod-like crystals with hierarchical pore structure, was successfully synthesized and applied for the adsorption and degradation of trace chlorobenzene (CB) in the presence of H₂O₂. The organic ferric salts as the precursors, ethylene glycol as a chelating/reducing agent and the dynamic two-stage temperature-varied hydrothermal technique, together made the synthesized hierarchical Fe-ZSM-5 nanorods assembled microspheres (FZ-CA-5EG) to be characterized by abundant highly dispersed and valency-controlled framework Fe^3+/2+ species. As a result of these features, the FZ-CA-5EG showed excellent ability of adsorption and degradation efficiency of CB, and enhanced durability due to negligible leaching of framework Fe species. Moreover, the hydroxyl radicals were determined as the main the reactive oxygen species of CB oxidation degradation, and a possible adsorption-oxidation degradation pathway was proposed.

CeCu composite oxide for chlorophenol effective removal by heterogeneous catalytic wet peroxide oxidation

CeCu solid solution oxide catalysts were prepared by the complex method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). And its activity in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in water was investigated. The results showed that the Cu²⁺ ions dissolved into the CeO₂ lattice to form CeCu solid solution oxide with a coarse, interconnected, porous, and cotton-like morphology. The metal-oxygen bonds were weakened by the formation of solid solution in the CeCu oxide catalyst. This weakening facilitated the activation and decomposition of the H₂O₂ to form highly oxidative HO· species that can lead to significant chlorophenol mineralization. The formation of CeCu solid solution oxide can effectively inhibit the Cu ions to be leached from the used CeCu oxide catalysts, which can ensure the CeCu oxide catalysts to adapt to a wide pH range of 2.1-7.9 and exhibit good reusability. CWPO reaction of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP molecules on CeCu oxide catalysts conforms to the first-order kinetic equation: y = 6959.3x - 17.2 and y = 9725x - 25.4, respectively. And the reaction activation energies are 57.8 and 80.8 kJ/mol, respectively. The TOC removals of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP can exceed 88 and 82%, and the dechlorination rates of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP are higher than 95 and 99.5%, respectively.

Role of complexing agents on oxidative degradation of chlorophenolic compounds by pyrite-Fenton process: Batch and column experiments

This study involves batch reactor and fixed-bed continuous flow experiments to determine the effects of complexing agents (e.g., tartrate and citrate) on the treatment of chlorophenolic (CP) compounds using heterogeneous Fenton system with pyrite mineral as the iron source. While the addition of organic ligands to the batch systems adversely affected CP removal, organic ligands had a beneficial effect on CP removal in column systems. Although the ligands extended the life span of pyrite-packed columns by removing surface oxidation products through the formation of soluble Fe-ligand complexes, the ligands competed against CPs for hydroxyl radicals (HO^*). The competitive effect was much higher in batch systems since pyrite loading was very low in order to generate sufficient hydroxyl radicals. On the other hand, at much higher pyrite loading of column experiments, the HO^* radicals generated during Fenton process were sufficient to overcome the competitive effect exerted by organic ligands. In spite of much higher Fe solubility in the presence of citrate, citrate was less effective in enhancing CP removal in column systems compared to tartrate since the competitive effect caused by citrate for HO^* radicals was more than that exerted by tartrate.

Condensation By-Products in Wet Peroxide Oxidation: Fouling or Catalytic Promotion? Part I. Evidences of an Autocatalytic Process

The present work is aimed at the understanding of the condensation by-products role in wet peroxide oxidation processes. This study has been carried out in absence of catalyst to isolate the (positive or negative) effect of the condensation by-products on the kinetics of the process, and in presence of oxygen, to enhance the oxidation performance. This process was denoted as oxygen-assisted wet peroxide oxidation (WPO-O2) and was applied to the treatment of phenol. First, the influence of the reaction operating conditions (i.e., temperature, pH0, initial phenol concentration, H2O2 dose and O2 pressure) was evaluated. The initial phenol concentration and, overall, the H2O2 dose, were identified as the most critical variables for the formation of condensation by-products and thus, for the oxidation performance. Afterwards, a flow reactor packed with inert quartz beads was used to facilitate the deposition of such species and thus, to evaluate their impact on the kinetics of the process. It was found that as the quartz beads were covered by condensation by-products along reaction, the disappearance rates of phenol, total organic carbon (TOC) and H2O2 were increased. Consequently, an autocatalytic kinetic model, accounting for the catalytic role of the condensation by products, provides a well description of wet peroxide oxidation performance.

Condensation By-Products in Wet Peroxide Oxidation: Fouling or Catalytic Promotion? Part II: Activity, Nature and Stability

The deposition of condensation by-products onto the catalyst surface upon wet peroxide and wet air oxidation processes has usually been associated with catalyst deactivation. However, in Part I of this paper, it was demonstrated that these carbonaceous deposits actually act as catalytic promoters in the oxygen-assisted wet peroxide oxidation (WPO-O2) of phenol. Herein, the intrinsic activity, nature and stability of these species have been investigated. To achieve this goal, an up-flow fixed bed reactor packed with porous Al2O3 spheres was used to facilitate the deposition of the condensation by-products formed in the liquid phase. It was demonstrated that the condensation by-products catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2 and a higher amount of these species leads to a higher degree of oxidation degree The reaction rates, conversion values and intermediates’ distribution were analyzed. The characterization of the carbonaceous deposits on the Al2O3 spheres showed a significant amount of condensation by-products (~6 wt.%) after 650 h of time on stream. They are of aromatic nature and present oxygen functional groups consisting of quinones, phenols, aldehydes, carboxylics and ketones. The initial phenol concentration and H2O2 dose were found to be crucial variables for the generation and consumption of such species, respectively.

Migration regularity of six preservatives from wooden children's products to saliva and sweat based on microstructure-related migration models

Wood preservatives in wooden children's products (WCPs) may migrate into children's body through oral and dermal exposure, resulting in a potential health risk. In this paper, a systematic investigation on the migration regularity of lindane and five chlorophenols preservatives from WCPs to saliva and sweat was introduced. Migration models were established based on the abundant migration data among different time periods (2 min-96 h). Wood exhibited complex porosity for various species, resulting in the deviation of the migration of preservatives from different samples. By introducing a correction coefficient (f) calculated based on the sample microstructure (specific surface area and pore distribution), the predicted values of correcting migration model matched better with the experimental data. Migration data indicated that exposure risks should be noticed when children were in contact with WCPs because a considerable quantity of preservatives migrated into the body in a short time. This work is expected to play a role in the formulation of chemical limit standards to promote the safety of WCPs, and may serve ideas as basis for the migration research of chemicals in wooden products.

Oxidative degradation of chlorophenolic compounds with pyrite-Fenton process

Batch experiments, in conjunction with chromatographic and spectroscopic measurements, were performed to comparatively investigate the degradation of various chlorophenolic (CP) compounds (e.g., 2-CP, 4-CP, 2,3-DCP, 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TeCP) by a modified Fenton process using pyrite as the catalyst. The batch results show that the CP removal by pyrite-Fenton process was highly dependent on chemical conditions (e.g., pH, CP and pyrite concentration), CP type, number and location of chlorine atoms on the aromatic ring. With the exception of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and 2,3-DCP, the CP removal decreased with increasing the number of chlorine constituents. While the main mechanism responsible for monochlorophenol removal (e.g., 2-CP and 4-CP) was the hydroxyl radical attack on aromatic rings, the CP removal for multichlorophenolic compounds (e.g., 2,3,4,6-TeCP) was driven by both: (1) hydroxyl radical attack on aromatic rings by both solution and surface-bound hydroxyl radicals and (2) adsorption onto pyrite surface sites. The adsorption affinity increased with increasing the number of Cl atoms on the aromatic ring due to enhanced hydrophobic effect. The TOC removal was not 100% complete for all CPs investigated due to formation of chemically less degradable chlorinated intermediate organic compounds as well as low molecular weight organic acids such as formic and acetic acid. Spectroscopic measurements with SEM-EDS, zeta potential and XPS provided evidence for the partial oxidation of pyrite surface Fe(II) and disulfide groups under acidic conditions.

Performance of photo-catalytic oxidation for degradation of chlorophenols: Optimization of reaction parameters and quantification of transformed oxidized products

In a pulp and paper mill, chlorine bleaching of pulp generates toxic aqueous stream containing various chlorophenols (CPs) which are not removed easily by biological process. The objective of the study was to optimize photo-catalytic oxidation reaction for synthetic wastewater containing mixture of mono-, di-, tri- and penta-CPs (i.e., 4-CP; 2,4-DCP; 2,4,6-TCP, and PCP) and evaluate its performance for simulated bleaching effluents produced during pulp bleaching stages. The experimental runs were performed in a glass reactor (capacity = 500 ml) with UV lamp (200-390 nm). A maximum TOC reduction of 93% was achieved for synthetic wastewater (initial TOC = 42 mg/L) at the following conditions: pH = 4.4 (unadjusted), H₂O₂ dose = 6.8 mM (stoichiometric), [H₂O₂]:[Fe²⁺] = 65 and run time = 37 min. Under these conditions, ∼90% of the chlorine atoms were dissolved as chloride ions in the treated wastewater. High performance liquid chromatography analysis on liquid samples extracted during the oxidation reaction revealed no accumulation of carboxylic acids in treated wastewater. At similar operating conditions, TOC removal from simulated bleaching effluent was 78% during photo-catalytic process compared to ∼50% obtained after Fenton's oxidation.

The construction of accelerated catalytic Fenton reaction based on Pd/MIL-101(Cr) and H2

A novel catalytic Fenton system based on H₂ and the solid catalyst Pd/MIL-101(Cr) (MHACF-MIL-101(Cr)) was developed at normal temperature and pressure. In this system, the reduction process of Fe^III back to Fe^II was accelerated significantly.

Improved visible-light activities for degrading pollutants on TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites by decorating SPR Au nanoparticles and 2,4-dichlorophenol decomposition path

It has been clearly demonstrated that the visible-light photocatalytic activities of g-C₃N₄ (CN) for degrading 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and bisphenol A (BPA) could be improved by fabricating nanocomposites with a proper amount of nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂. Interestingly, the visible-light activities of the amount-optimized nanocomposite could be further improved after decorating Au nanoparticles, with 5.11- and 3.1-time improvement respectively for 2,4-DCP and BPA compared to that of CN, even much higher than that of P25 TiO₂ under UV-vis irradiation. Based on the transient-state surface photovoltage responses and photoelectrochemical measurements, it is confirmed that the exceptional visible-light activities of the fabricated Au-(TiO₂/g-C₃N₄) nanocomposites are attributed to the extended visible-light response due to the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) of decorated Au and its catalytic function, and to the enhanced charge separation by transferring electrons from CN and SPR Au to TiO₂ in the nanocomposites. The highly promoted charge separation results in the effective availability of a large number of hydroxyl radicals (OH) participating in the photocatalytic oxidation process of 2,4-DCP. Furthermore, a possible mechanism of 2,4-DCP degradation is proposed according to the detailed analyses of produced intermediates. This work provides new idea for designing Au assisted nanocomposite photocatalysts for environmental remediation.

Application of CWPO to the treatment of pharmaceutical emerging pollutants in different water matrices with a ferromagnetic catalyst

CWPO has proved to be effective for the treatment of representative pharmaceuticals (sulfamethoxazole, atenolol, metronidazole, diltiazem, trimethoprim and ranitidine) in different water matrices (ultrapure water, surface water, WWTP effluent and hospital wastewater). Complete removal of the pollutants and the aromatic intermediates was achieved using the stoichiometric dose of H₂O₂, a catalyst (Fe₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃) load of 2gL^-1, pH 3 and temperature of 50-75°C. Accordingly, the ecotoxicity was reduced to negligible values. The degradation was faster when the pharmaceuticals were together, being the reaction time for the elimination of the most refractory species (metronidazole) shortened from 4h to 1h. The mineralization of the drugs was fairly different, being the most reactive species those containing several aromatic rings (X_TOC∼80%) and the most refractory that bearing an imidazolium ring (X_TOC∼35%). The water matrix affected the kinetics of the process but in all cases complete conversion of the drugs was reached within 1h. The presence of dissolved organic matter (surface water) seemed to promote drugs degradation while the occurrence of inorganic ions (real WTTP and hospital effluents) partially inhibited it due to scavenging effects. Remarkably, the process was successfully operated at the typical concentrations of main micropollutant sources (μgL^-1).

Improving the Fenton process by visible LED irradiation

The effect of irradiation with visible light-emitting diode (LED) light on the efficiency of Fenton oxidation is investigated using phenol as the target compound (100 mg/L). The H₂O₂ dose and temperature are tested as operating variables with the aim of minimizing consumption of the reagents. At 50 °C, 10 mg/L Fe²⁺, and 60 % of the stoichiometric H₂O₂ amount, phenol was completely oxidized into CO₂, H₂O, and short chain organic acids, with oxalic acid completely degraded. Up to 95 % mineralization was achieved. This high efficiency can be attributed to the effect of LED radiation on the quinones/Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ cycle, which significantly increases the reaction rate, as well as on the photodecomposition of the iron complexes formed along the oxidation process, which also enhanced mineralization.

A Kinetic and Mechanismic Study of Plasma-Induced Degradation of Monochloropropionic Acids in Water by Means of Anodic Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis

Decomposition of aqueous monochloropropionic acids (MCPAs) was investigated by means of anodic contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE). With the decay of MCPAs, the corresponding total organic carbon (TOC) also decreased smoothly. Furthermore, it was found that chlorine atoms in the MCPAs were released as chloride ions. As the main by-products, oxalic acid and formic acid were detected. The acetic acid (CA), monochloroacetic acid (MCA), and propanedioic acid (PDA) were also detected as the primary intermediates for decomposition of the corresponding MCPAs. The decay of both MCPAs and TOC obeyed the first-order kinetics, respectively. The apparent rate constant for the decay of MCPAs increased with the increase inpKavalues of MCPAs, while that for the decay of TOC was substantially unaffected. The reaction pathway involving the successive attack of hydroxyl radical and the carbon chain cleavage were discussed based on the products and kinetics.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Quinone Metabolite Promotes p53-Dependent DNA Damage Checkpoint Activation, S-Phase Cycle Arrest and Extrinsic Apoptosis in Human Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants. The toxic behavior and mechanism of PCBs individuals and congeners have been extensively investigated. However, there is only limited information on their metabolites. Our previous studies have shown that a synthetic PCB metabolite, PCB29-pQ, causes oxidative damage with the evidence of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mitochondrial-derived intrinsic apoptosis. Here, we investigate the effects of PCB29-pQ on DNA damage checkpoint activation, cell cycle arrest, and death receptor-related extrinsic apoptosis in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Our results illustrate that PCB29-pQ increases the S-phase cell population by down-regulating cyclins A/D1/E, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK 2/4/6), and cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) and up-regulating p21/p27 protein expressions. PCB29-pQ also induces apoptosis via the up-regulation of Fas/FasL and the activation of caspase 8/3. Moreover, p53 plays a pivotal role in PCB29-pQ-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via the activation of ATM/Chk2 and ATR/Chk1 checkpoints. Cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death were attenuated by the pretreatment with antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Taken together, these results demonstrate that PCB29-pQ induces oxidative stress and promotes p53-dependent DNA damage checkpoint activation, S-phase cycle arrest, and extrinsic apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Assessment of PCDD/Fs formation in the Fenton oxidation of 2-chlorophenol: Influence of the iron dose applied

Toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) may be formed during remediation of chlorinated phenols via Fenton oxidation. To highlight the need for monitoring the production of toxic byproducts in these reactions, this work assessed the influence of iron dose (0.09-0.36 mM) on the Fenton oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP, 15.56 mM), a potential precursor of PCDD/Fs, by quantifying 2-CP removal and mineralization rates as well as byproducts yields, including PCDD/Fs. Although the increase in the iron dose showed positive contribution to 2-CP oxidation, under the operating conditions of the current study (H2O2 at 20% of the stoichiometric dose and 20 °C), there was no effect on the mineralization rate, and TOC and chlorine balances were far to be closed, depicting the presence of chlorinated organic byproducts in the reaction medium. After 4 h of treatment, the total PCDD/Fs concentrations increased by 14.5-39 times related to the untreated sample when the iron doses tested decreased from 0.36 to 0.09 mM, with preferential formation of PCDFs over PCDDs and dominance of lower chlorinated congeners such as tetra and penta-PCDD/Fs. The treatment with the highest iron dose (0.36 mM) exhibited the lowest PCDD/Fs yields and was thus most successful at mitigating toxic byproducts of the Fenton oxidation, leading to lower sample toxic equivalence (TEQ) value.

Antibacterial Properties and Mechanism of Activity of a Novel Silver-Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide

Huwa-San peroxide (hydrogen peroxide; HSP) is a NSF Standard 60 (maximum 8 mg/L(-1)) new generation peroxide stabilized with ionic silver suitable for continuous disinfection of potable water. Experiments were undertaken to examine the mechanism of HSP against planktonic and biofilm cultures of indicator bacterial strains. Contact/kill time (CT) relationships that achieve effective control were explored to determine the potential utility in primary disinfection. Inhibitory assays were conducted using both nutrient rich media and a medium based on synthetic wastewater. Assays were compared for exposures to three disinfectants (HSP, laboratory grade hydrogen peroxide (HP) and sodium hypochlorite) at concentrations of 20 ppm (therefore at 2.5 and 5 times the NSF limit for HP and sodium hypochlorite, respectively) and at pH 7.0 and 8.5 in dechlorinated tap water. HSP was found to be more or equally effective as hypochlorite or HP. Results from CT assays comparing HSP and HP at different bacterial concentrations with neutralization of residual peroxide with catalase suggested that at a high bacterial concentration HSP, but not HP, was protected from catalase degradation possibly through sequestration by bacterial cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, at a low bacterial cell density residual HSP was more effectively neutralized as less HSP was associated with bacteria and therefore accessible to catalase. Silver in HSP may facilitate this association through electrostatic interactions at the cell surface. This was supported by experiments where the addition of mono (K(+)) and divalent (Ca(+2)) cations (0.005-0.05M) reduced the killing efficacy of HSP but not HP. Experiments designed to distinguish any inhibitory effect of silver from that of peroxide in HSP were carried out by monitoring the metabolic activity of established P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. Concentrations of 70-500 ppm HSP had a pronounced effect on metabolic activity while the equivalent concentrations of ionic silver (50- 375 ppb) had a negligible effect, demonstrating that the microbiocidal activity of HSP was due to peroxide rather than silver. Overall, it was found that the antimicrobial activity of HSP is enhanced over that of hydrogen peroxide; the presence of the ionic silver enhances interactions of HSP with the bacterial cell surface rather than acting directly as a biocide at the tested concentrations.

An overview on the advanced oxidation processes applied for the treatment of water pollutants defined in the recently launched Directive 2013/39/EU

Environmental pollution is a recognized issue of major concern since a wide range of contaminants has been found in aquatic environment at ngL(-1) to μgL(-1) levels. In the year 2000, a strategy was defined to identify the priority substances concerning aquatic ecosystems, followed by the definition of environmental quality standards (EQS) in 2008. Recently it was launched the Directive 2013/39/EU that updates the water framework policy highlighting the need to develop new water treatment technologies to deal with such problem. This review summarizes the data published in the last decade regarding the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to treat priority compounds and certain other pollutants defined in this Directive, excluding the inorganic species (cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel and their derivatives). The Directive 2013/39/EU includes several pesticides (aldrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan, isodrin, heptachlor, lindane, pentachlorophenol, chlorpyrifos, chlorfenvinphos, dichlorvos, atrazine, simazine, terbutryn, diuron, isoproturon, trifluralin, cypermethrin, alachlor), solvents (dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nonylphenol and octylphenol, as well as the three compounds included in the recommendation for the first watch list of substances (diclofenac, 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and 17-beta-estradiol (E2)). Some particular pesticides (aclonifen, bifenox, cybutryne, quinoxyfen), organotin compounds (tributyltin), dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, brominated diphenylethers, hexabromocyclododecanes and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate are also defined in this Directive, but studies dealing with AOPs are missing. AOPs are recognized tools to destroy recalcitrant compounds or, at least, to transform them into biodegradable species. Diuron (a phenylurea herbicide) and atrazine (from the triazine chemical class) are the most studied pesticides from Directive 2013/39/EU. Fenton-based processes are the most frequently applied to treat priority compounds in water and their efficiency typically increases with the operating temperature as well as under UV or solar light. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is the second most used treatment to destroy pollutants defined in the Directive. Ozone alone promotes the partial oxidation of pollutants, and an increase in the effluent biodegradability, but complete mineralization of pollutants is difficult. To overcome this drawback, ozonation has been combined with heterogeneous catalysts, addition of H2O2, other AOPs (such as photocatalysis) or membrane technologies.

Synthesis of dual type Fe species supported mesostructured silica nanoparticles: synergistical effects in photocatalytic activity

Dual type Fe species (isomorphously substituted Fe species and a colloidal α-FeOOH (IS-FeOOH)) supported on mesostructured silica nanoparticles (IS-FeOOH/MSN) were prepared by a simple electrochemical method followed by impregnation.

Overview of the PCDD/Fs degradation potential and formation risk in the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to wastewater treatment

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are a family of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have received considerable public and scientific attention due to the toxicity of some of their congeners, more specifically those with chlorine substitution in the 2,3,7,8 positions. The environmental management and control of PCDD/Fs is addressed at a global level through the Stockholm Convention that establishes that POPs should be destroyed or irreversibly transformed in order to reduce or eliminate their release to the environment. Several technologies, including advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as photolysis, photocatalysis and Fenton oxidation, have been considered as effective methods for destroying PCDD/Fs in polluted waters. Nevertheless, during the remediation of wastewaters it is critical that the treatment technologies applied do not lead to the formation of by-products that are themselves POPs, especially if PCDD/Fs precursors or chlorine are present in the reaction medium. Despite the high effectiveness of AOPs in the oxidation of major contaminants, scarce references deal with the monitoring of PCDD/Fs in the course of the oxidation process, revealing that a detailed assessment of non-combustion technologies with respect to PCDD/Fs formation is still lacking. This study reports a review of the state of the art related to the potential remediation and/or formation of PCDD/Fs as a result of the application of AOPs for the treatment of polluted waters, warning on the correct selection of the operating conditions.

The critical role of the operating conditions on the Fenton oxidation of 2-chlorophenol: assessment of PCDD/Fs formation

This work assesses the influence of the operating conditions H2O2 dose (20 or 100% of the stoichiometric amount), temperature (20 or 70°C), and the presence of chloride in the oxidation medium in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) during Fenton treatment of aqueous samples of 2-chlorophenol, 2-CP, one of the strongest precursor of PCDD/Fs. After 4h of oxidation in the experiments carried out with 20% H2O2 chlorinated phenoxyphenols and biphenyls, which are intermediates in PCDD/Fs formation, as well as PCDD/Fs were observed, resulting in concentrations 11 times higher than in the untreated sample. Additionally, when NaCl was also present in the reaction medium, PCDD/Fs were formed at higher extent, with a total concentration 74.4 times higher than in the untreated 2-CP solution. Results depicted a preferential formation of PCDFs over PCDDs, with dominance of lower chlorinated PCDD/Fs (tetra and penta-PCDD/Fs). Besides, the formation of the most toxic PCDD/Fs congeners (2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs) was not favored under the operating conditions used in this work.