Application of response surface methodology for the optimization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation from potable water using photo-Fenton oxidation process

A review on recent advancements in the treatment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using sulfate radicals based advanced oxidation process

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most persistent compounds that get contaminated in the soil and water. Nearly 16 PAHs was considered to be a very toxic according US protection Agency. Though its concentration level is low in the environments but the effects due to it, is enormous. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is an emergent methodology towards treating such pollutants with low and high molecular weight of complex substances. In this study, sulfate radical (SO4‾•) based AOP is emphasized for purging PAH from different sources. This review essentially concentrated on the mechanism of SO4‾• for the remediation of pollutants from different sources and the effects caused due to these pollutants in the environment was reduced by this mechanism is revealed in this review. It also talks about the SO4‾• precursors like Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and Persulfate (PS) and their active participation in treating the different sources of toxic pollutants. Though PS and PMS is used for removing different contaminants, the degradation of PAH due to SO4‾• was presented particularly. The hydroxyl radical (•OH) mechanism-based methods are also emphasized in this review along with their limitations. In addition to that, different activation methods of PS and PMS were discussed which highlighted the performance of transition metals in activation. Also this review opened up about the degradation efficiency of contaminants, which was mostly higher than 90% where transition metals were used for activation. Especially, on usage of nanoparticles even 100% of degradation could be able to achieve was clearly showed in this literature study. This study mainly proposed the treatment of PAH present in the soil and water using SO4‾• with different activation methodologies. Particularly, it emphasized about the importance of treating the PAH to overcome the risk associated with the environment and humans due to its contamination.

LED-driven photo-Fenton process for micropollutant removal by nanostructured magnetite anchored in mesoporous silica

The presence of organic micropollutants in water bodies represents a threat to living organisms and ecosystems due to their toxicological effects and recalcitrance in conventional wastewater treatments. In this context, the application of heterogeneous photo-Fenton based on magnetite nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica (SBA15) is proposed to carry out the non-specific degradation of the model compounds ibuprofen, carbamazepine, hormones, bisphenol A and the dye ProcionRed®. The operating conditions (i.e., pH, catalyst load and hydrogen peroxide concentration) were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The paramagnetic properties of the nanocatalysts allowed their repeated use in sequential batch operations with catalyst losses below 1%. The feasibility of the process was demonstrated as removal rates above 90% after twelve accomplished after twelve consecutive cycles. In addition, the contributions of different reactive oxygen species, mainly •OH, were analyzed together with the formation of by-products, achieving total mineralization values of 15% on average.

Optimization and mechanism of Tetrabromobisphenol A removal by dithionite under anaerobic conditions: Response surface methodology and degradation pathway

In this study, dithionite (DTN) was used to degrade Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a widely applied brominated flame retardants, under anaerobic conditions with the reaction terminator of nitrate. The optimization of reaction parameters including TBBPA concentration, DTN concentration and pH value were conducted by response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). The degradation process could be simulated accurately by a quadratic model with the correlation coefficient R² of 0.9550. The interaction between pH and DTN concentration was significant with the p-value of 0.0017. Moreover, the maximum TBBPA removal was 87.6 ± 3.2% and obtained at TBBPA concentration of 2.00 μM, the DTN concentration of 322.31 μM, and the pH of 6.14 under anaerobic conditions. It was found that the factors influenced TBBPA removal followed the order: pH > DTN concentration > TBBPA concentration. The major active products from DTN are SO₃^2- and S₂O₃^2-. In addition, different inhibitions of natural water matrix including chloride, bicarbonate, sulfide and humic acid on TBBPA degradation had been confirmed. According to the identified six intermediates via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), two steps of the degradation pathways were speculated, including the breakage of C-Br bond and C-C bond. This study provides a convenient way to degrade TBBPA.

Research Progress of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pretreatment Methods and Application of Computer Simulation Technology for Prediction and Degradation of Electrochemical Concentration Detection

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic compounds that are composed of aromatic rings containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are one of the widespread environmental pollutants in the world. In recent years, many scholars have focused on the inhibition, formation mechanism, content of active components, and biodegradation effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They summarized the research progress of pretreatment methods for detection, but rarely discussed the experimental dataset for comprehensive analysis of pollution sources and the impact of different pretreatment technologies on the extraction of different substrates. What is more, computer simulation has not been mentioned. In this study, the pollution sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are reviewed, and the related applications of various pretreatment methods such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) are summarized. Finally, the computer simulation of the response surface method is introduced. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is tested or predicted by combining the neural network with the alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) algorithm, artificial population algorithm (ABC), and hierarchical genetic algorithm (HGA). Its future development trend is discussed and prospected, which provides a reference for solving the pollution problem. We look forward to providing help for the follow-up research of scholars in this field.

Degradation of methyl orange by pyrite activated persulfate oxidation: mechanism, pathway and influences of water substrates

Degradation mechanism of methyl orange (MO), a typical azo dye, with pyrite (FeS₂) activated persulfate (PS) was explored. The results showed that when the initial concentration of MO was 0.1 mM, FeS₂ was 1.6 g/L and PS was 1.0 mM, the removal rate of MO could reach 92.9% in 150 min, and the removal rate of total organic carbon could reach 14.1%. In addition, both pH ≤ 2 and pH ≥ 10 could have an inhibitory effect in the FeS₂/PS system. Furthermore, Cl^- and low concentrations of HCO^-₃ had little effect on the degradation of MO with FeS₂/PS. However, H₂PO^-₄ and high concentrations of HCO^-₃ could inhibit the degradation of MO in the system. Besides, MO in river water and tap water were not degraded in FeS₂/PS system, but acidification (pH = 4) would greatly promote the degradation. In addition, the removal rate of MO with FeS₂/PS could still reach about 90% after five cycles of FeS₂. Furthermore, the intermediates and possible degradation pathways were speculated by LC-MS, and the degradation mechanism of MO by FeS₂/PS was that the cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II) could continuously activate persulfate to produce SO₄^•-. The results could provide technical support for azo dye degradation in the FeS₂/PS system.

A feasible approach for azo-dye methyl orange degradation in siderite/H2O2 assisted by persulfate: Optimization using response surface methodology and pathway

Siderite was applied to the binary oxidant system of siderite-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and enhanced with persulfate (PS). In the absence of PS, methyl orange (MO) almost could not be degraded by the siderite/H₂O₂ process. However, adding PS significantly improved the capacity of MO to oxidize azo-dye. The influence of individual and interaction of reaction factors have been explored with a simple response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). The quadratic model with low probabilities (<0.0001) at a confidence level of 95% was satisfactory to predict MO degradation in siderite/H₂O₂/PS system, whose correlation coefficients of R² and R²-adj were 0.9569 and 0.9264, respectively. Moreover, the optimum operation conditions of 21.20 mM, 2.75 g/L, 3.86 mM, and 4.69 for H₂O₂, siderite, PS and initial pH, respectively with the response of C/C₀ around 0.047. Radical scavenging experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) determined that ·OH was crucial for MO degradation, while the contribution of SO₄^·- was minor. The surface morphology and iron content of siderite before and after the oxidation process showed clear differences. Possible intermediates and a degradation pathway were proposed based on the results of UV-Vis spectral and GC-MS analysis. Moreover, the toxicity to Vibrio fischeri bioluminescent bacterium has increased in the earlier degradation stage due to the generated by-products and weaken with the continuous treatment. This study demonstrated that the siderite/H₂O₂/PS system was effective over a relatively wide pH range without producing secondary pollutants, making it a promising technology and potential environmentally benign approach to azo-dye wastewater treatment.

Oxidation of small aromatic compounds in rainwater by UV/H2O2: Optimization by response surface methodology

The presence of aromatic compounds in rainwater is a matter of concern, mainly when the use of rainwater in buildings is intended. The present work aimed to assess the oxidation of a mixture of small aromatic compounds (benzoic, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic and syringic acids) in rainwater by the UV/H₂O₂ process, and the possibility of its optimization by the response surface methodology. The extent of oxidation was assessed by ultraviolet-visible and molecular fluorescence spectroscopies. During the oxidation of the mixture new chromophoric compounds were formed at an initial stage, but they were then degraded at a later stage. The increase of the H₂O₂ concentration, resulted in a higher extent of oxidation, while the initial pH value showed no influence in the oxidation of the mixture. The optimization of the oxidation was performed using the uniform design with the factors: initial H₂O₂ concentration, initial pH, and reaction time. The response surface model found, through the best subsets regression, described the extent of oxidation as function of the following variables: initial H₂O₂ concentration and reaction time, interaction between them, and also their respective quadratic forms. The optimal conditions, the lowest H₂O₂ concentration (3.1 mM) for a selected maximum reaction time (4 h), were applied to rainwater samples spiked with the mixture of contaminants and resulted in an extent of oxidation higher than 99.5%, validating the application of the model to real samples. Therefore, the UV/H₂O₂ process coupled to its optimization via response surface methodology may be an alternative for rainwater treatment in buildings.

The occurrence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Malaysian urban domestic wastewater

The water stream has been reported to contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), released from households and premises through discharge from Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This research identifies commonly consumed NSAIDs namely ibuprofen (IBU), diclofenac (DIC), ketoprofen (KET) and naproxen (NAP) in the influent wastewater from two urban catchments (i.e. 2 STPs). We expand our focus to assess the efficiency of monomer (C18) and dimer (HLB) types of sorbents in the solid phase extraction method followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis and optimize model prediction of NSAIDs in the influent wastewater using I-Optimal design. The ecological risk assessment of the NSAIDs was evaluated. The HLB produced reliable analysis for all NSAIDs under study (STP1: 6.7 × 10^-3 mg L^-1 to 2.21 × 10^-1 mg L^-1, STP2: 1.40 × 10^-4 mg L^-1 to 9.72 × 10^-2 mg L^-1). The C18 however, selective to NAP. Based on the Pearson proximity matrices, the DIC_HLB can be a good indicator for IBU_HLB (0.565), NAP_C18 (0.721), NAP_HLB (0.566), and KET_HLB (0.747). The optimized model prediction for KET and NAP based on DIC are successfully validated. The risk quotients (RQ) values of NSAIDs were classified as high (RQ > 1), medium (RQ, 0.1-1) and low (RQ, 0.01-0.1) risks. The optimized models are beneficial for major NSAIDs (KET and NAP) monitoring in the influent wastewater of urban domestic area. An upgrade on the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure is recommended to counteract current water security situation.

Cartap removal from simulated water matrices by fluidized-bed Fenton process: optimization of process parameters

Cartap is a thiocarbamate pesticide widely-used to protect rice crops, one of the most mass-produced cereals worldwide. Effluents containing cartap pose serious environment and health risks due to the acute toxicity of this emerging contaminant. This work evaluates the capabilities of the Fenton process to efficiently remove cartap from water matrices. Process parameters such as hydrogen peroxide dosage, ferrous ion concentration and operating pH were optimized using Box-Behnken design. Results showed complete cartap removal with Fenton oxidation in a fluidized-bed reactor while eliminating sludge generation during treatment. Fluidized-bed Fenton process had improved reduction in chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon due to the contribution of heterogeneous Fenton catalysis to the overall degradation of cartap species compared to conventional Fenton in a batch reactor. Furthermore, competitive reactions and scavenging effects in complex natural water matrices were simulated with the use of inorganic ions such as nitrate, chloride, and phosphate. Results demonstrated the detrimental effect of phosphate ions on Fenton oxidation due to the precipitation of soluble catalysts as iron phosphates, which stops the catalytic Fenton cycle and thus the production of oxidants for contaminant degradation.

Strength enhancement of concrete using incinerated agricultural waste as supplementary cement materials

The potassium (K) and sodium (Na) elements in banana are needed for hydration reaction that can enhance the strength properties of concrete. This research aims (a) to determine the material engineering properties of banana skin ash (BSA) and concrete containing BSA, (b) to measure the strength enhancement of concrete due to BSA, and (c) to identify optimal application of BSA as supplementary cement materials (SCM) in concrete. The BSA characterization were assessed through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Blaine’s air permeability. The workability, compressive strength, and microstructures of concrete containing BSA were analysed using slump test, universal testing machine (UTM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 15 oxides and 19 non-oxides elements were identified in BSA with K (43.1%) the highest and Na was not detected. At 20 g of mass, the BSA had a higher bulk density (198.43 ± 0.00 cm³) than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (36.32 ± 0.00 cm³) indicating availability of large surface area for water absorption. The concrete workability was reduced with the presence of BSA (0% BSA: > 100 mm, 1% BSA: 19 ± 1.0 mm, 2%: 15 ± 0.0 mm, 3% BSA: 10 ± 0.0 mm). The compressive strength increased with the number of curing days. The concrete microstructures were improved; interfacial transition zones (ITZ) decreased with an increase of BSA. The optimal percentage of BSA obtained was at 1.25%. The established model showed significant model terms (Sum of Squares = 260.60, F value = 69.84) with probability of 0.01% for the F-value to occur due to noise. The established model is useful for application in construction industries.

Evaluation and comparison of advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D): a review

Organochlorine pesticides have generated public concern worldwide because of their toxicity to human health and the environment, even at low concentrations, and their persistence, being mostly nonbiodegradable. The use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has increased in recent decades, causing severe water contamination. Several treatments have been developed to degrade 2,4-D. This manuscript presents an overview of the physicochemical characteristics, uses, regulations, environmental and human health impacts of 2,4-D, and different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to degrade this organic compound, evaluating and comparing operation conditions, efficiencies, and intermediaries. Based on this review, 2,4-D degradation is highly efficient in ozonation (system O₃/plasma, 99.8% in 30 min). Photocatalytic, photo-Fenton, and electrochemical processes have the optimal efficiencies of degradation and mineralization: 97%/79.67% (blue TiO₂ nanotube arrays//UV), 100%/98% (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/UV), and 100%/84.3% (MI-meso SnO₂), respectively. The ozonation and electrochemical processes show high degradation efficiencies, but energy costs are also high, and photocatalysis is more expensive with a separation treatment used to recover the catalyst in the solution. The Fenton process is a viable economic-environmental option, but degradation efficiencies are often low (50-70%); however, they are increased when solar UV radiation is used (90-100%). AOPs are promising technologies for the degradation of organic pollutants in real wastewater, so evaluating their strengths and weaknesses is expected to help select viable operational conditions and obtain optimal efficiencies.

Electrochemical performance and response of bacterial community during phenanthrene degradation in single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have attracted considerable attention for their carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic properties in humans. Phenanthrene is one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments. In this study, different concentrations of phenanthrene were degraded by single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells. The electrochemical parameter of microbial fuel cells and biofilm changes on the anode were observed. The results showed that the addition of phenanthrene reduced the power output of the microbial fuel cell which affected the process of microbial electricity generation. Meanwhile, microorganisms destroyed the original structure of phenanthrene through anaerobic metabolism, and achieved good average degradation of 94.9-98.4%. Observation of the anodic biofilm found that the microbes had tolerance to phenanthrene and the biofilm exhibited to be well-constructed. Bacterial community distribution showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Acidovorax and Aquamicrobium, whereas the relative content of the main electroactive organism, Geobacter, increased by a factor of three. The results show that it is feasible for microbial fuel cells to biodegrade phenanthrene, and provide some references for the changes of microbial community during degradation process.

Advances in water treatment technologies for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Existing concepts, emerging trends, and future prospects

In the last two decades, environmental experts have focused on the development of several biological, chemical, physical, and thermal methods/technologies for remediation of PAH-polluted water. Some of the findings have been applied to field-scale treatment, while others have remained as prototypes and semi-pilot studies. Existing treatment options include extraction, chemical oxidation, bioremediation, photocatalytic degradation, and adsorption (employing adsorbents such as biomass derivatives, geosorbents, zeolites, mesoporous silica, polymers, nanocomposites, and graphene-based materials). Electrokinetic remediation, advanced phytoremediation, green nanoremediation, enhanced remediation using biocatalysts, and integrated approaches are still at the developmental stage and hold great potential. Water is an essential component of the ecosystem and highly susceptible to PAH contamination due to crude oil exploration and spillage, and improper municipal and industrial waste management, yet comprehensive reviews on PAH remediation are only available for contaminated soils, despite the several treatment methods developed for the remediation of PAH-polluted water. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging methods/technologies, in order to bridge information gaps toward ensuring a green and sustainable remedial approach for PAH-contaminated aqueous systems. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Comprehensive review of existing and emerging technologies for remediation of PAH-polluted water. Factors influencing efficiency of various methods, challenges and merits were discussed. Green nano-adsorbents, nano-oxidants and bio/phytoremediation are desirous for ecofriendly and economical PAH remediation. Adoption of an integrated approach for the efficient and sustainable remediation of PAH-contaminated water is recommended.

Optimization of electro-kinetic process for remediation of soil contaminated with phenanthrene using response surface methodology

The objective of this work was to investigate the modification of soil contaminated with phenanthrene (PHE) by electro-kinetic remediation (EKR) process using response surface methodology (RSM). The soil sample was obtained from the subgrades (0-30 cm) of an area close to Shahroud City, Northeast of Iran. The effect of variables such as initial pH, voltage, electrolyte concentration, and reaction time on PHE removal was studied. Based on the results obtained from the central composite design (CCD) experiment, the highest and lowest amount of PHE removal was 97 and 20%, respectively. In this study, the variables A, B, C, AB, AC, and C² with a p value < 0.05 were significant model terms and the parameter of the lack of fit was not significant (p value = 0.0745). Findings indicated that the "predicted R-squared" of 0.9670 was in reasonable agreement with the "adj R-squared" of 0.9857 and the plot of residual followed a normal distribution and approximately linear. Also, the kinetic rates of the removal PHE by the EKR process best fitted with a first-order kinetic model (R²: 0.926). Results of the investigation of the effective variables showed that in values of pH 3, time of 168 h, voltage of 3 V, and electrolyte concentration of 4 mg/L, the removal efficiency of PHE reached 96.6%. Graphical abstract.

Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Heterogeneous Fenton Like Oxidation System Using Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron as a Catalyst

Oil and gas effluents contains highly toxic and harmful organic pollutants. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate and/or reduced the concertation of organic pollutants to a technologically acceptable levels before their discharge into water streams. This study investigates the application of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for removal of organic pollutants from real oily produced water. Batch studies were performed and effect of different operating parameters, including concentration of nZVI and H2O2, pH and reaction time were studied. Moreover, optimization of independent variables was performed using central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental set up provided maximum removal efficiencies of 89.5% and 75.3% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. The optimum values of independent variables such as concentrations of nZVI, and H2O2, contact time and pH were obtained as 4.35 g/L, 1.60 g/L, 199.9 min and 2.9, respectively. Predicted PAHs and COD removal efficiencies at the optimum values of independent variables were found as 89.3% and 75.7%, respectively which are in line with the experimental values. The study indicates that application of heterogeneous Fenton like oxidation system using nZVI as a catalyst is an efficient treatment method for removal of organic pollutants from real produced water.

Dataset on specific UV absorbances (SUVA254) at stretch components of Perak River basin

Perak River basin is in Perak state of Peninsular Malaysia. In this research, the river stretch serves as water intake for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes in Perak Tengah, Hilir Perak and Manjung regions. It is located in mixed use area whilst exposing the river to anthropogenic elements. The sampling locations were conducted at selected points of Perak River namely Tanjung Belanja Bridge (TBB), Water Treatment Plant Parit (WTPP), Parit Town discharge (PTD), Water Treatment Plant Senin (WTPS) and Water Treatment Plant Kepayang (WTPK). The existence of aromatic hydrocarbons in freshwater samples was pre-assessed via qualification analysis; specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄) method at 254 nm of wavelength. The SUVA dataset were 48.38 L/mg-m (TBB), 50.54 L/mg-m (WTPP), 8.05 L/mg-m (PTD), 85.75 L/mg-m (WTPS) and 217.39 L/mg-m (WTPK). The SUVA₂₅₄ values of fresh water at the river basin have exceeded the water quality standards value equivalent to 2.0 L/mg-m permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency of United States. The exceeding values were an indication of a large portion of aromatic compounds in the water. Qualification analyses evident the existence of water pollutants at treacherous concentrations for public health in freshwater samples of Perak River basin. Thus, this research has presented important findings towards further research and countermeasure for a better alternative of water treatment in Malaysia.

What Is Special about Aromatic-Aromatic Interactions? Significant Attraction at Large Horizontal Displacement

High-level ab initio calculations show that the most stable stacking for benzene-cyclohexane is 17% stronger than that for benzene-benzene. However, as these systems are displaced horizontally the benzene-benzene attraction retains its strength. At a displacement of 5.0 Å, the benzene-benzene attraction is still ∼70% of its maximum strength, while benzene-cyclohexane attraction has fallen to ∼40% of its maximum strength. Alternatively, the radius of attraction (>2.0 kcal/mol) for benzene-benzene is 250% larger than that for benzene-cyclohexane. Thus, at relatively large distances aromatic rings can recognize each other, a phenomenon that helps explain their importance in protein folding and supramolecular structures.

Degradation of bisphenol A by persulfate coupled with dithionite: Optimization using response surface methodology and pathway

The degradation efficiency of bisphenol A (BPA) was investigated in the process of persulfate (PS) coupled with dithionite (DTN) as a function of concentration of BPA, PS, DTN and solution pH. A simple response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to determine the influence of individual and interaction of above variables and the optimum processing parameters. It is satisfactory of a quadratic model with low probabilities (<0.0001) at a confidence level of 95% to predict the BPA degradation efficiency. The model was well fitted to the actual data and the correlation coefficients of R² and R²-adj were 0.9270 and 0.8885, respectively. In addition, the obtained optimum conditions for BPA degradation were 1.79 μM, 131.77 μM, 93.64 μM for BPA, PS, DTN and pH = 3.62, respectively. It achieved a degradation efficiency >90% within 150 min. Moreover, the trapping experiment of active species demonstrated that SO₄^·- and ·OH were the dominant species and natural water matrix showed an obvious inhibition effect on BPA degradation. The BPA degradation pathway was predicted based on GC-MS results in this study.

Comprehensive review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water sources, their effects and treatments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are principally derived from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. This study investigated the occurrence of PAHs in aquatic environments around the world, their effects on the environment and humans, and methods for their removal. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have a great negative impact on the humans and environment, and can even cause cancer in humans. Use of good methods and equipment are essential to monitoring PAHs, and GC/MS and HPLC are usually used for their analysis in aqueous solutions. In aquatic environments, the PAHs concentrations range widely from 0.03 ng/L (seawater; Southeastern Japan Sea, Japan) to 8,310,000 ng/L (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant, Siloam, South Africa). Moreover, bioaccumulation of ∑16PAHs in fish has been reported to range from 11.2 ng/L (Cynoscion guatucupa, South Africa) to 4207.5 ng/L (Saurida undosquamis, Egypt). Several biological, physical and chemical and biological techniques have been reported to treat water contaminated by PAHs, but adsorption and combined treatment methods have shown better removal performance, with some methods removing up to 99.99% of PAHs.

Performance analysis and optimization of ammonium removal in a new biological folded non-aerated filter reactor

A new type of biological folded non-aerated filter (BFNAF) was found to be superior and feasible for the treatment of NH₄⁺-N wastewater. It was constructed with the folded structure suitable for the nylon biomass carrier. The advantages of the BFNAF included low energy consumption, long reaction path, large biofilm surface area and non-clogging compared to the traditional biological aerated filter. In this study, the effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), and the influent NH₄⁺-N concentration on the performance of BFNAF were investigated and optimized by the response surface methodology. Under the optimal operating condition (HRT, 10 h; NH₄⁺-N concentration, 52 mg/L), the removal efficiency and removal rate were 94.62 ± 0.63% and 0.106 kg-NH₄⁺ m^-3 day^-1, respectively. The results showed that the BFNAF reactor could remove NH₄⁺-N from wastewater and realized the nitrification process effectively under natural ventilation conditions.

Synthesis and characterization of a new magnetic adsorbent for removal of 4-nitrophenol: application of response surface methodology

Magnetic modified graphene oxide was synthesized as a new modified magnetic nano-composite (MMNC) by a simple sonochemical-hydrothermal method. The sonochemical reaction was employed to exfoliate, functionalize and decorate neomycin on graphene oxide sheets. Nickel ferromagnetic particles were synthesized by hydrothermal co-precipitation method and decorated on neomycin-modified graphene oxide. The morphology and chemical structure of MMNC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The adsorption capability of MMNC for removal of phenolic compounds was assessed through adsorption of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) from aqueous solution. The three-factor Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface method was applied to evaluate and optimize the important variables which affect the adsorption process. A significant quadratic model (p-value <0.05, R² _(adj) = 0.9593) was derived using analysis of variance. The maximum adsorption capacity of 125.4 mg 4-NP/g MMNC at pH 6 was obtained, which was comparable in some cases and higher than most adsorbents reported in the literature. The presence of neomycin on graphene oxide sheets improved the maximum adsorption capacity of the nano-sorbent up to 28% (from 98.7 to 125.4 mg 4-NP/g adsorbent). The adsorption isotherms fitted well with the Langmuir model (Langmuir constant b = 0.064 l/mg, R² = 0.9989) and the kinetic study showed that the nitrophenol uptake process followed the pseudo-second-order rate expression (R² ≥ 0.9960, pseudo-second-order constant K₂ ≥ 1.7 × 10^-3).

Step by step procedures: Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in potable water using photo-Fenton oxidation process

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic compounds, composed of two or more fused benzene rings and abundantly found in mixed-use areas. Mixed-use areas consist of dense population, urbanization, industrial and agricultural activities. River pollution are common in mixed-use areas and 98% of Malaysia's fresh water supply originates from surface water. The biological degradation, adsorption and advanced oxidation process were documented as the available PAHs treatment for water. To date, the application of the photo-Fenton oxidation process has been reported for the treatment of PAHs from contaminated soil (review paper), landfill leachate, municipal solid waste leachate, sanitary landfill leachate, aniline wastewater, ammunition wastewater and saline aqueous solutions. As for potable water, the application of Fenton reagent was aided with photo treatment or electrolysis not focusing on PAHs removal.

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The presented MethodsX was conducted for PAHs degradation analysis in potable water samples using photo-Fenton oxidation process.

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The designed reactor for batch experiment is presented.

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The batch experiment consists of parameters like concentration of 17 USEPA-PAHs in the prepared aqueous solution (fixed variable), reaction time, pH and molarity ratio of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂): ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).