Oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and 3,4-dichlorophenol by means of Fe(III)-homogeneous photocatalysis and algal toxicity assessment of the treated solutions

Insights into the efficient mineralization of antibiotic trimethoprim in aqueous media by Fe2+ catalytically enhanced vacuum-UV irradiation: Kinetics, mechanisms, and toxicity evaluation

The widespread existence of antibiotics in the environment has attracted growing concerns regarding the potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms, ecosystems, and human health even at low concentrations. Extensive efforts have been devoted to developing new methods for effective elimination of antibiotics from wastewater. Herein, a novel process of Fe2+ catalytically enhanced vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation was proposed as a promising approach for the removal of antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP) in water. Compared with UVC photolysis, VUV photolysis, and UVC/Fe2+, VUV/Fe2+ could increase the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of TMP removal by 6.6-38.4 times and the mineralization rate by 36.5%-59.9%. The excellent performance might originate from the synergistic effect of VUV and Fe2+, i.e., VUV irradiation could effectively split water and largely accelerate the Fe3+/Fe2+ cycle to generate more reactive oxygen species (ROS). EPR results indicated that •OH and O2•- were identified as the main ROS in the UVC/Fe2+ and VUV/Fe2+ processes, while •OH, O2•-, and 1O2 were involved in the VUV process. The operating parameters, such as Fe2+ dosage and initial TMP contents, were evaluated and optimized. Up to 8 aromatic intermediates derived from hydroxylation, demethylation, carbonylation, and methylene group cleavage were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS technique, the possible pathways of TMP degradation were proposed. Finally, the acute and chronic toxicity of intermediates formed during TMP degradation in the VUV/Fe2+ process were also evaluated.

Degradation of tetracycline by UV/Fe3+/persulfate process: Kinetics, mechanism, DBPs yield, toxicity evaluation and bacterial community analysis

As a widely produced and used antibiotic, tetracycline (TC) has been frequently found in rivers, soil and drinking water. In this study, the degradation of TC was investigated by UV/Fe³⁺/persulfate (PS) coupled process. The degradation behavior was well fitted with pseudo-first-order model. Hydroxyl radicals (·OH), sulfate radicals (SO₄^-·) and superoxide radical (O₂^-·) were identified as the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) in UV/Fe³⁺/PS process, the contribution to TC degradation were found to be 41.94%, 33.94% and 17.44% at pH 3.0, respectively. Fe(IV) generated from the system also played a crucial role in TC removal. The effects of process parameters (PS/Fe³⁺ dosages, pH, humic acid, Cl^-, HCO₃^-, NO₃^- and CO₃^2-) on degradation were investigated. It was found that the degradation of TC was highly pH-dependent, and the optimal performance was obtained at pH 3.0. Except for Cl^-, the presence of HA, HCO₃^-, NO₃^- and CO₃^2- inhibited TC degradation. The possible transformation pathway involving the hydroxylation, N-demethylation, hydrogenation and dehydroxylation was proposed. Furthermore, the toxicity and mutagenicity of TC and transformation products (TPs) were estimated using ECOSAR and TEST softwares, demonstrating that the toxicity level of most TPs was lower/equal to their precursors. The evaluation of DBPs showed that UV/Fe³⁺/PS process could reduce the potential of DBPs formation, especially for TCAA and TCM. Microbial community composition was analyzed by 16 S rDNA sequencing, and the relative abundance of ARG-carrying opportunistic pathogens was significantly declined after UV/Fe³⁺/PS treatment. In general, this study provides an economical, efficient and safe strategy for TC removal.

Cyclohexane oxidation using advanced oxidation processes with metals and metal oxides as catalysts: a review

Selective oxidation of cyclohexane has gained substantial interest in the field of research due to the prominence of its products in industrial processes. Particularly, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) constitute a positive technology for the oxidation of cyclohexane owing to their high oxidation potentials and environmental benign properties. This review entails to address the progress made in advanced oxidation of cyclohexane over nanostructured metals and metal oxides catalysts. The main focus is directed toward the photocatalysis, Fenton oxidation and ozonation as advanced oxidation processes. Mainly, the fundamental principles, prime factors of the AOPs in conjunction with metal and metal oxide catalysts and the mechanistic insight toward the oxidation of cyclohexane are highlighted. The affirmative effects of the metals and metal oxide catalysts mainly focusing on particle size, structure and elemental composition is stressed. Lastly, the advantages and disadvantages of the AOPs and the strategic approaches to counter the disadvantages are also clearly elucidated.

Homogeneous photocatalytic degradation of azo dye Reactive Black 5 using Fe(III) ions under visible light

Efficient and cost-effective method to destroy complex dyes is warranted to combat increasing water pollution. In the present study, homogeneous photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye was studied using ferric ions (Fe(III)) under visible light (VL) irradiation and sunlight (SL). In the presence of 5 mM ferric ions and at pH 2.6, more than 80% of initial 20 mg/L RB5 was decolourized in 60 min under artificial VL. Decolourization followed pseudo first-order kinetics with the reaction rate constant 0.0356 min^-1. 79% of initial COD was removed at the end of 60 min, suggesting mineralization of RB5 as the main cause of decolourization. Using similar experimental conditions under SL, more than 90% RB5 was decolourized in 15 min with an almost 10-fold increase in the reaction rate constant (0.34 min^-1). Rate and extent of RB5 destruction significantly decreased in the presence of •OH scavenger indicating photoreduction of Fe-hydroxo species and generation of •OH as the main mechanism of RB5 degradation. RB5 removal increased from ca. 30% to 84% with the increase in Fe(III) concentration from 0.5 to 5 mM. The corresponding 1st-order rate constants increased linearly from 0.006 to 0.036 min^-1. RB5 degradation decreased linearly (R² = 0.98) from 91.7% to 63.3% with the increase in initial RB5 concentration from 10 to 40 mg/L. Fe(III) induced homogenous PCO appears to be a reliable and low-cost method of advanced oxidation without the need for costly reagent such as H₂O₂.

High-efficiency oxidation of norfloxacin by Fe3+/H2O2 process enhanced via vacuum ultraviolet irradiation: Role of newly formed Fe2

Fluoroquinolones in water environments have caused worldwide concern due to negative effects on human health and ecological environment. Heretofore, synergistic mechanisms of Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ process enhanced via vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation for fluoroquinolones removal, and generation ways and contribution evaluations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in integrated VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ were not reported systematically. This work comparatively investigated norfloxacin (NOR, typical fluoroquinolones) degradation in VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ and its sub-processes. Compared with its sub-processes, VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ process could not only increase degradation rate constant by 2.1-10.2 times and increase mineralization rate by 14.5%-49.5%, but also reduce energy consumption by 53.1%-89.9% and reduce economic cost by 33.3%-68.0%. Effect mechanisms of Fe³⁺ and H₂O₂ doses on decontamination capability of VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ were elaborated, and 3 mM H₂O₂ and 90 μM Fe³⁺ were determined as optimal doses. The synergetic factor in integrated VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ was 3.33, which was mainly ascribed to VUV photons accelerating iron cycle. In VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ process, superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical were confirmed as primary ROS, contributing 20.86% and 76.32% to NOR oxidation, separately. Organic and inorganic products of NOR and its degradation pathways in integrated VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ were also investigated. Besides, the synergistic reaction pathways in VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ were elaborated. Effects of water matrices on decontamination capability of VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ were also studied. All results indicated VUV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ as an efficient and cost-effective process suitable for NOR removal.

Rapid degradation of norfloxacin by VUV/Fe2+/H2O2 over a wide initial pH: Process parameters, synergistic mechanism, and influencing factors

Vacuum UV (VUV) technology has attracted much attention because it effectively splits water to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ and has the advantages of UV. So far, the synergistic mechanisms, formation pathways and contributions of ROS in VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ process have not been extensively studied. Herein, complete removal (at 4 min) and 63.3% mineralization (at 8 min) of 45 μM norfloxacin (NOR) were achieved at neutral pH by VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ (90 μM Fe²⁺ and 3 mM H₂O₂). Compared with its subsystems, VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ can not only increase the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of NOR removal by 2.3-14.9 times and increase the mineralization by 20.4-59.4%, but also reduce the residual ratio of H₂O₂ by 19.9-70.1% and reduce total cost by 20.0-68.0%. The synergy factor of VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ was 3.97, which was attributed to the VUV irradiation promoting iron redox cycle and H₂O₂ decomposition. Moreover, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical, which were identified as the main ROS, contributed 79.07% and 18.47% to NOR removal, respectively. Degradation pathways of NOR were proposed. Furthermore, effects of coexisting ions and dissolved organic matter were investigated. As an energy-saving and efficient process, the satisfactory results of VUV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ applied in real waters also highlight its application potential.

Feedforward Artificial Neural Network-Based Model for Predicting the Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Water by Using Deep Eutectic Solvent-Functionalized CNTs

In the recent decade, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have occupied a strategic place in green chemistry research. This paper discusses the application of DESs as functionalization agents for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to produce novel adsorbents for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous solution. Also, it focuses on the application of the feedforward backpropagation neural network (FBPNN) technique to predict the adsorption capacity of DES-functionalized CNTs. The optimum adsorption conditions that are required for the maximum removal of 2,4-DCP were determined by studying the impact of the operational parameters (i.e., the solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time) on the adsorption capacity of the produced adsorbents. Two kinetic models were applied to describe the adsorption rate and mechanism. Based on the correlation coefficient (R²) value, the adsorption kinetic data were well defined by the pseudo second-order model. The precision and efficiency of the FBPNN model was approved by calculating four statistical indicators, with the smallest value of the mean square error being 5.01 × 10⁻⁵. Moreover, further accuracy checking was implemented through the sensitivity study of the experimental parameters. The competence of the model for prediction of 2,4-DCP removal was confirmed with an R² of 0.99.

Homogeneous photocatalytic Fe3+/Fe2+ redox cycle for simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and organic pollutant oxidation: Roles of hydroxyl radical and degradation intermediates

The sustained oxidation of aqueous organic pollutants using hydroxyl radicals (HO) generated in the UV-irradiated solution of ferric ions was investigated in the presence of Cr(VI). The synergistic effect of simultaneous 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction is explained in terms of the various roles of OH radical, degradation intermediates, and Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox cycle. The photolysis of Fe^III(OH)²⁺ generates OH radical which degrades the organic substrate. The reduction of Cr(VI) was inhibited by the OH radical-induced re-oxidation of Cr(III) in the absence of 4-CP. The complete removal of Cr(VI) was achieved only in the presence of phenolic substrates which not only reacts with OH radical (hence inhibiting the reoxidation of Cr(III)) but also generates reducing intermediates which effectively reduce Cr(VI). Fe²⁺ also converted Cr(VI) to Cr(III) with regenerating Fe³⁺, which makes the overall process photocatalytic. The photocatalytic activity for the simultaneous removal of 4-CP and Cr(VI) was largely maintained up to five cycles. Such simultaneous and synergic photoactivity was also observed for other phenolic compounds (4-bromophenol, 4-nitrophenol, phenol). The simultaneous and synergic removal of phenolic compounds and Cr(VI) can be enabled through the redox couple of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ working as a homogeneous photocatalyst.

Photocatalytic treatment of organic pollutants in a synthetic wastewater using UV light and combinations of TiO2, H2O2 and Fe(III)

In this study, the photocatalytic treatment of an organic wastewater with/without phenolic compounds by means of ultraviolet irradiation, titanium dioxide and hydrogen peroxide was examined in an annular photoreactor. Specifically, the effect of initial total carbon concentration, catalyst loading and H₂O₂ amount on the removal of total carbon was first examined in the case of a synthetic organic wastewater. The influence of partial carbon substitution by phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-discholophenol, trichlorophenol, and 4-nitrophenol on total carbon removal and target compounds’ conversion was studied keeping constant the initial organic carbon load. It was shown that the process applied was effective in treating the wastewater for initial total carbon 32 mg L^-1, 0.5 g L^-1 TiO₂, and 66.6 mg L^-1 H₂O₂. Applying UV/TiO₂ and UV/H₂O₂, 58% and 53% total carbon removals were achieved, respectively, but combining TiO₂ and H₂O₂ did not result in a better performance in the case of the synthetic wastewater without any phenolic compounds. In contrast, when a phenolic compound was added, the addition of H₂O₂ was beneficial, eliminating the differences observed from one phenolic compound to another. The total carbon removals observed were lower than the corresponding final conversions of the target phenolic compounds. Finally, the electric energy per order values were calculated and found to range in 52–248 kWh/m³/order, being dependent from the process applied and the phenolic compound present in the wastewater.

Photolysis of enrofloxacin, pefloxacin and sulfaquinoxaline in aqueous solution by UV/H2O2, UV/Fe(II), and UV/H2O2/Fe(II) and the toxicity of the final reaction solutions on zebrafish embryos

In this work, the photolysis of enrofloxacin (ENR), pefloxacin (PEF), and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) in aqueous solution by UV combined with H₂O₂ or ferrous ions (Fe(II)), as well as Fenton (Fe(II)/H₂O₂) processes, was investigated. In addition, the toxicity of the final reaction solution after UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) treatment toward zebrafish embryos was determined. The degradation of the test compounds followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. The optimum concentrations of H₂O₂ for ENR, PEF and SQX removal under UV/H₂O₂ treatment were 20, 20 and 5 mM, respectively. The optimum concentrations of Fe(II) for ENR, PEF and SQX removal in the UV/Fe(II) system were 0.25, 10, and 1 mM, respectively. For the UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) system, pH = 3 is the best initial pH for the degradation of ENR, PEF and SQX with the degradation efficiencies at 100%, 79.1% and 100% after 180 min, respectively. Considering the degradation rate and electrical energy per order of the test compounds, the UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) process was better than the UV/H₂O₂ and UV/Fe(II) processes because of the greater OH generation. Based on major transformation products of ENR, PEF, and SQX detected during UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) treatment, the probable degradation pathway of each compound is proposed. The fluorine atom of ENR and PEF was transformed into fluorine ion, and the sulfur atom was transformed into SO₂/SO₄^2-. The nitrogen atom was mainly transformed into NH₃/NH₄⁺. Formic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, and fumaric acid were identified in the irradiated solutions and all the test compounds and their intermediates can be finally mineralized. In addition, after the UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) process, the acute toxicity of the final reaction solutions on zebrafish embryos was lower than that of the initial solution without any treatment. In summary, UV/H₂O₂/Fe(II) is a safe and efficient technology for antibiotic degradation.

Catalytic Performance of Nitrogen-Doped Activated Carbon Supported Pd Catalyst for Hydrodechlorination of 2,4-Dichlorophenol or Chloropentafluoroethane

Nitrogen-doped activated carbon (N-AC) obtained through the thermal treatment of a mixture of HNO₃-pretreated activated carbon (AC) and urea under N₂ atmosphere at 600 °C was used as the carrier of Pd catalyst for both liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and gas-phase hydrodechlorination of chloropentafluoroethane (R-115). The effects of nitrogen doping on the dispersion and stability of Pd, atomic ratio of Pd/Pd²⁺ on the surface of the catalyzer, the catalyst’s hydrodechlorination activity, as well as the stability of N species in two different reaction systems were investigated. Our results suggest that, despite no improvement in the dispersion of Pd, nitrogen doping may significantly raise the atomic ratio of Pd/Pd²⁺ on the catalyst surface, with a value of 1.2 on Pd/AC but 2.2 on Pd/N-AC. Three types of N species, namely graphitic, pyridinic, and pyrrolic nitrogen, were observed on the surface of Pd/N-AC, and graphitic nitrogen was stable in both liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of 2,4-DCP and gas-phase hydrodechlorination of R-115, with pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen being unstable during gas-phase hydrodechlorination of R-115. As a result, the average size of Pd nanocrystals on Pd/N-AC was almost kept unchanged after liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of 2,4-DCP, whereas crystal growth of Pd was clearly observed on Pd/N-AC after gas-phase hydrodechlorination of R-115. The activity test revealed that Pd/N-AC exhibited a much better performance than Pd/AC in liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of 2,4-DCP, probably due to the enhanced stability of Pd exposed to the environment resulting from nitrogen doping as suggested by the higher atomic ratio of Pd/Pd²⁺ on the catalyst surface. In the gas-phase hydrodechlorination of R-115, however, a more rapid deactivation phenomenon occurred on Pd/N-AC than on Pd/AC despite a higher activity initially observed on Pd/N-AC, hinting that the stability of pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen plays an important role in the determination of catalytic performance of Pd/N-AC.

The improved hydrodechlorination catalytic reactions by concerted efforts of ionic liquid and activated carbon support

Modified and stabilized palladium nanoparticles were prepared successfully by using an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate.

ZnO/ZnAl₂O₄ Nanocomposite with 3D Sphere-Like Hierarchical Structure for Photocatalytic Reduction of Aqueous Cr(VI)

Three dimensional (3D) ZnO/ZnAl₂O₄ nanocomposites (Zn_nAl-MMO) were synthesized by a simple urea-assisted hydrothermal process and subsequent high-temperature calcination. The as-prepared samples and their precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and Photoluminescence spectra (PL). It was observed that the morphology of Zn_nAl-MMO nanocomposites could be tuned from cubic aggregates, hierarchically flower-like spheres to porous microspheres by simply changing the molar ratio of metal cations of the starting reaction mixtures. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/ZnAl₂O₄ nanocomposites in the photoreduction of aqueous Cr(VI) indicated that the as-prepared 3D hierarchical sphere-like Zn_nAl-MMO nanocomposite showed excellent photocatalytic activity of Cr(VI) reduction under UV light irradiation. The results indicated that the maximum removal percentage of aqueous Cr(VI) was 98% within four hours at 10 mg/L initial concentration of Cr(VI), owing to the effective charge separation and diversion of photogenerated carriers across the heterojunction interface of the composite. Our study put forward a facile method to fabricate hierarchical ZnO/ZnAl₂O₄ composites with potential applications for wastewater treatment.

Magnetic cobalt ferrite composite as an efficient catalyst for photocatalytic oxidation of carbamazepine

A magnetic spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticle composite (CFO) was prepared via an ultrasonication-assisted co-precipitation method. The morphological structure and surface composition of CFO before and after reaction were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, indicating the consumption of iron oxide during photodegradation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry confirm the preparation of the ferrite nanoparticle composite and its magnetic properties. The prepared CFO was then used for the photocatalytic degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) as an example of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from aqueous solution. The effects of the nanocomposite dosage, contact time, and solution pH on the photodegradation process were investigated. More than 96% of the CBZ was degraded within 100 min at 0.2 g·L^-1 CFO in the presence of UV light. The reactive species for CBZ degradation in the CFO/UV system was identified as hydroxyl radicals by the methanol scavenging method. Combined with the detection of leached iron ions during the process, the CBZ degradation mechanism can be presumed to be heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalytic degradation in the CFO/UV system. Furthermore, iminostilbene and acridine were detected as intermediate products by GC-MS.

Zero-valent iron-activated persulfate oxidation of a commercial alkyl phenol polyethoxylate

Aqueous Triton X-45 (TX-45; 20 mg/L; original total organic carbon (TOC) = 14 mg/L), a representative, commercially important alkylphenol polyethoxylate, was subjected to persulfate (PS) oxidation activated with zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles. After optimization of the ZVI/PS treatment combination (1 g/L ZVI; 2.5 mM PS at pH5) in terms of pH (3-9), ZVI (0.5-5 g/L) and PS (0.5-5.0 mM) concentrations, TX-45 could be efficiently (>90%) degraded within short treatment periods (<60 min) accompanied with significant (>40%) TOC removals. The degree of PS consumption and Fe release was also followed during the experiments and a positive correlation existed between enhanced TX-45 removals and ZVI-activated PS consumption rates accompanied with a parallel Fe release. Acute toxicity tests were conducted using two different bioassays to examine the toxicological safety of the ZVI/PS oxidation system. Acute toxicity profiles significantly decreased from an original value of 66% relative inhibition to 21% and from 16% relative inhibition to non-toxic values according to Vibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata bioassays, respectively. The photobacterium V. fischeri appeared to be more sensitive to TX-45 and its degradation products than the microalgae P. subcapitata.

Enhanced tolerance and remediation to mixed contaminates of PCBs and 2,4-DCP by transgenic alfalfa plants expressing the 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) generally led to mixed contamination of soils as a result of commercial and agricultural activities. Their accumulation in the environment poses great risks to human and animal health. Therefore, the effective strategies for disposal of these pollutants are urgently needed. In this study, genetic engineering to enhance PCBs/2,4-DCP phytoremediation is a focus. We cloned the 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase (BphC.B) from a soil metagenomic library, which is the key enzyme of aerobic catabolism of a variety of aromatic compounds, and then it was expressed in alfalfa driven by CaMV 35S promoter using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic line BB11 was selected out through PCR, Western blot analysis and enzyme activity assays. Its disposal and tolerance to both PCBs and 2,4-DCP were examined. The tolerance capability of transgenic line BB11 towards complex contaminants of PCBs/2,4-DCP significantly increased compared with non-transgenic plants. Strong dissipation of PCBs and high removal efficiency of 2,4-DCP were exhibited in a short time. It was confirmed expressing BphC.B would be a feasible strategy to help achieving phytoremediation in mixed contaminated soils with PCBs and 2,4-DCP.

Simultaneously degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and EDTA in aqueous solution by the bimetallic Cu-Fe/O₂ system

Oxidative degradation of aqueous organic contaminants 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-enhanced bimetallic Cu-Fe system in the presence of dissolved oxygen was investigated. The proposed process was applied for the pH range of 3~7 with the degradation efficiency of 2,4-DCP and EDTA varying within 10 %, and achieved at 100 % degradation of 40 mg L(-1) 2,4-DCP in 1 h, at the initial pH of 3, 25 g L(-1) of bimetallic Fe-Cu powder (WCu/WFe = 0.01289) and initial EDTA of 0.57 mM. However, the removal efficiency of 2,4-DCP in control tests were 7.52 % (Cu-Fe/O2 system) and 84.32 % (EDTA-enhanced Fe/O2 process), respectively, after 3 h, reaction. The proposed main mechanism, involves the in situ generation of H2O2 by the electron transfer from Fe(0) to O2 which was enhanced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the in situ generation of ·OH via advanced oxidation reaction. Accordingly, 2,4-DCP was attacked by ·OH to achieve complete dechlorination and low molecular weight organic acids, even mineralized. Systematic studies on the effects of initial EDTA and 2,4-DCP concentration, Cu-Fe dosing, Cu content, and pH revealed that these effects need to be optimized to avoid the excessive consumption of ·OH and new EDTA and heavy metal Cu pollution.

Enhanced catalytic hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol over Pd catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped graphene

Pd catalysts supported on graphene and N-doped graphene (GN-1, GN-2 and GN-3) with varied N-doping amounts were prepared, and liquid phase catalytic hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol was investigated over these catalysts.

Phytoremediation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using wild type and transgenic tobacco plants

INTRODUCTION

Transgenic plant strategies based on peroxidase expression or overexpression would be useful for phenolic compound removal since these enzymes play an important role in phenolic polymerizing reactions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thus, double transgenic (DT) plants for basic peroxidases were obtained and characterized in order to compare the tolerance and efficiency for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) removal with WT and simple transgenic plants expressing TPX1 or TPX2 gene. Several DT plants showed the expression of both transgenes and proteins, as well as increased peroxidase activity.

RESULTS

DT lines showed higher tolerance to 2,4-DCP at early stage of development since their germination index was higher than that of WT seedlings exposed to 25 mg/L of the pollutant. High 2,4-DCP removal efficiencies were found for WT tobacco plants. TPX1 transgenic plants and DT (line d) reached slightly higher removal efficiencies for 10 mg/L of 2,4-DCP than WT plants, while DT plants (line A) showed the highest removal efficiencies (98%). These plants showed an increase of 21% and 14% in 2,4-DCP removal efficiency for solutions containing 10 and 25 mg/L 2,4-DCP, respectively, compared with WT plants. In addition, an almost complete toxicity reduction of postremoval solutions using WT and DT plants was obtained through AMPHITOX test, which indicates that the 2,4-DCP degradation products would be similar for both plants.

CONCLUSION

These results are relevant in the field of phytoremediation application and, moreover, they highlight the safety of using DT tobacco plants because nontoxic products were formed after an efficient 2,4-DCP removal.

Assessment of the efficiency of photocatalysis on tetracycline biodegradation

The use of photocatalysis to improve the biodegradability of an antibiotic compound, tetracycline (TC) was investigated. The toxicity of TC and its degradation products were also examined. The Sturm test was conducted to assess the biodegradability of by-products formed in the photocatalytic process. The toxicity of tetracycline and its by-products was evaluated using a dehydrogenase inhibition test, which showed a decrease in toxicity during photocatalysis. However, the Sturm test results indicated that, like tetracycline, the by-products are not biodegradable. Possible structures of these by-products were determined using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). It was found that, during the photocatalytic process, the TC aromatic ring is not opened and the structure of the identified by-products is quite similar to that of tetracycline. A reaction pathway is proposed.