Photodegradation kinetics of androgenic steroids boldenone and trenbolone in aqueous solutions

Photodegradation and ozonation of ibuprofen derivatives in the water environment: Kinetics approach and assessment of mineralization and biodegradability

This article presents the results of studies on the degradation of ibuprofen transformation products: 1-hydroxyibuprofen (1OHIBF), 4-ethylbenzaldehyde (4EBA), 1-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]ethan-1-ol (MPPE) in water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper where the ozonation and photodegradation (VIS and UV photolysis, degradation in H₂O₂/UV system, photosensitized oxidation) of 1OHIBF, 4EBA and MPPE are reported. The processes were performed in demineralized and natural river water. The influence of various reaction parameters on the removal degree was checked. Both, photolysis under VIS light and photosensitized oxidation of target compounds are very low-efficient processes. Ozonation and degradation in H₂O₂/UV system are effective methods for ibuprofen derivatives degradation. Components present in river water reduced removal degree of investigated compounds during ozonation and degradation in H₂O₂/UV system. The biodegradability assessment using the Average Oxidation State (AOS) and COD/TOC ratio proved the formation of more oxidized by-products during both processes. The determined second-order rate constants for ozone reaction with 1OHIBF, 4EBA and MPPE are 0.1 ± 0.01, 10.95 ± 1.36 and 3.04 ± 0.33 M^-1 s^-1, respectively. The calculated reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radicals with MPPE, 4EBA and 1OHIBF are 3.57 × 10⁹, 6.83 × 10⁹ and 1.06 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1, respectively.

Photodegradation of prednisolone under UVB solar irradiation. Role of photogenerated ROS in the degradation mechanism

The use of biologically active substances with anti-inflammatory properties such as corticosteroids has increased considerably in the last few decades. Particularly, the compound we are interested in, prednisolone (Predn), is a glucocorticoid with high biological activity. This compound absorbs UV radiation and may participate in photochemical processes, which can result in its own decomposition. These processes could result in the formation of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS). On these grounds, the kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the direct photodegradation of Predn have been studied in aqueous medium under different atmospheric conditions by stationary and time-resolved techniques. The mechanism involved in the photodegradation has been elucidated. Predn is capable of generating the excited triplet state ³Predn* as a result of UVB light absorption. In the presence of oxygen, ³Predn* allows the formation of ROS, of which O₂(¹Δ_g) (Φ_Δ = 0.014), H₂O₂ and the radical OH˙ stand out. The latter is generated from the spontaneous dismutation of O₂˙^- and subsequent homolytic cleavage, photochemically promoted, of H₂O₂. Predn undergoes unimolecular photodegradation reactions under an inert argon atmosphere. In this study we found that in the presence of oxygen, the Predn photo-consumption is improved. This implies that the attack by ROS involves a very important additional contribution to the photodegradation of Predn under aerobic conditions.

Advanced oxidation of preservative agents in H2O2/UVC system - Kinetics study, transformation products and toxicity assessment

Phenylphenol isomers (hydroxylated derivatives of biphenyl) are widely used as a preservative agents and disinfectants in many branches of industry. This work focuses on removal of phenylphenol isomers from aqueous solution using H₂O₂/UVC process. The influence of different operating variables such as pH, initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide, initial concentration of target compounds, fluence rate and presence of radical scavengers on degradation rate was investigated. Moreover, transformation products and toxicity of the reaction solutions were studied. The reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radicals with phenylphenol isomers were determined by using classical and competition kinetics. The value of reaction rate constant depends on the position of the hydroxyl group in the aromatic ring and follows the order: ortho- phenylphenol<meta- phenylphenol<para- phenylphenol. The main by-products of initial degradation steps were dihydroxybiphenyl isomers, phenol and isomers of 2,4-hexadienoic-6-oxo-6-phenyl acid or trihydroxybiphenyl. A properly selected degradation time led to mineralization of reaction solution, and after 2h of reaction the total organic carbon reduction was equaled to 89, 87 and 71% for ortho- phenylphenol, meta- phenylphenol and para- phenylphenol solution, respectively. The application of advanced oxidation in H₂O₂/UVC system led to achieving non-toxic reaction solutions.

Kinetic studies of the reaction between pesticides and hydroxyl radical generated by laser flash photolysis

BACKGROUND

Due to contamination of the environment by pesticides and their mishandling, there is the need for treatment of contaminated sites and correct disposal of materials containing them. Thus, studies with advanced oxidation processes are expanding and can determine the rate constant of the hydroxyl radical with organic compounds of great importance in environmental contamination. In this context, the use of laser flash photolysis has been shown to be viable for the determination of these constants.

RESULTS

The reaction rate constants of different pesticides with HO(•) in degassed acetonitrile have been determined. They were 1.6 × 10(9)  M(-1)  s(-1), 0.6 × 10(9)  M(-1)  s(-1), 1.2 × 10(9)  M(-1)  s(-1), 2.4 × 10(9)  M(-1)  s(-1) and 2.2 × 10(9)  M(-1)  s(-1) for the pesticides carbaryl, propoxur, fenoxycarb, ethoxysulfuron and chlorimuron-ethyl, respectively. These values are about an order of magnitude smaller than the diffusion controlled rate and correlate with the relative rates of disappearance of the pesticides in the photo-Fenton reaction in water.

CONCLUSION

The correlation of the relative rate constants determined by laser flash photolysis with the relative rates of photo-Fenton degradation of the pesticides is compelling evidence for the participation of the hydroxyl radical in the degradation of these pesticides in the latter system.

Phototransformation rates and mechanisms for synthetic hormone growth promoters used in animal agriculture

Trenbolone acetate, melengestrol acetate, and zeranol are synthetic hormones extensively used as growth promoters in animal agriculture, yet despite occurrence in water and soil little is known about their environmental fate. Here, we establish the time scales and mechanisms by which these synthetic growth promoters and their metabolites (SGPMs) undergo phototransformation in sunlit surface waters. The families of trenbolone acetate (including 17β-trenbolone, 17α-trenbolone, and trendione) and melengestrol acetate (including melengestrol) readily undergo direct photolysis, exhibiting half-lives between ∼0.25 and 1 h in both natural and simulated sunlight that were largely insensitive to solution variables (e.g., pH, temperature, and cosolutes). Direct photolysis yielded products that not only are more photostable but also maintain their steroidal ring structure and therefore may retain some biological activity. In contrast, zeranol, β-zearalanol, and zearalanone only exhibited reactivity in irradiated solutions of model humic and fulvic acids, and rates of indirect photolysis increased steadily from pH 7 to 9. Use of selective probe and quencher compounds suggest hydroxyl radical and triplet state dissolved organic matter are responsible for zeranol family decay at neutral pH, although singlet oxygen contributes modestly in more alkaline waters. This observed pH-dependence appears to result from photooxidants reacting primarily with the monodeprotonated form of zeranol (pK(a) values of 8.44 and 11.42). This investigation provides the first characterization of the fate of this emerging pollutant class in sunlit surface waters and prioritizes future efforts on the identity, fate, and biological impact of their more persistent phototransformation products.

Adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on reproductive functions of male rabbits

This study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate (BOL) on reproductive functions of male rabbits. Thirty white New Zealand mature male rabbits were divided into three groups (10 rabbits each). Group A rabbits served as a control group. Group B rabbits received 4.4 mg/kg body weight (bwt) BOL 5% oily solution. Group C rabbits received 8.8 mg/kg bwt BOL. Rabbits were injected intramuscularly twice weekly for two months. BOL had no significant effect on the bwt and bwt gain. Testes and epididymis weights were decreased significantly in the BOL-treated groups. BOL caused significant reduction in serum testosterone level, seminal volume, sperm motility, and sperm count. No abnormalities were detected in the sperm morphology of the BOL-treated groups. Histopathological alterations in the testes and epididymis were marked in the group C rabbits. These results indicate that administration of BOL exerts a significant harmful effect on the reproductive functions of male rabbits.