Removal of the X-ray contrast media diatrizoate by electrochemical reduction and oxidation

Removal of Iodine-Containing X-ray Contrast Media from Environment: The Challenge of a Total Mineralization

Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) as emerging micropollutants have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their high detected concentration in water systems. It results in environmental issues partly due to the formation of toxic by-products during the disinfection process in water treatment. Consequently, various approaches have been investigated by researchers in order to achieve ICM total mineralization. This review discusses the different methods that have been used to degrade them, with special attention to the mineralization yield and to the nature of formed by-products. The problem of pollution by ICM is discussed in the first part dedicated to the presence of ICM in the environment and its consequences. In the second part, the processes for ICM treatment including biological treatment, advanced oxidation/reductive processes, and coupled processes are reviewed in detail. The main results and mechanisms involved in each approach are described, and by-products identified during the different treatments are listed. Moreover, based on their efficiency and their cost-effectiveness, the prospects and process developments of ICM treatment are discussed.

Electrochemical Reduction of Halogenated Alkanes and Alkenes Using Activated Carbon-Based Cathodes

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is used to sorb a broad range of halogenated contaminant classes, but spent GAC disposal is costly. Taking advantage of GAC's conductivity, this study evaluated the conversion of the GAC to cathodes for electrochemical reductive dehalogenation of 15 halogenated alkanes and alkenes exhibiting a diversity of structures (type of halogen, number of halogens, functional groups) and including contaminants of practical importance (e.g., trichloroethylene). Alkane degradation rates increased with the number of halogens and in the order: chlorine < bromine < iodine. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) correlating experimental first-order degradation rate constants for alkanes with molecular descriptors associated with an outer-sphere one-electron transfer calculated using density functional theory indicated that correlations with molecular descriptors improved in the order: aqueous phase reduction potentials (E^0,aq) < energy of the substrate's lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (E_LUMO) < Marcus theory activation free energies (ΔG^‡) ∼ gas-phase standard reduction free energies (ΔG^0,gas). Chlorinated alkene degradation rates increased with decreasing number of chlorines, and QSAR correlations were opposite those of alkanes, indicating a different reaction mechanism. Degradation timescales ranged from 1 min to 3 h with halides as predominant products. These results suggest that the electrochemical reduction of halogenated alkanes and alkenes can be used to regenerate spent GAC.

Enhanced dewaterability of lake dredged sediments by electrochemical oxidation of peroxydisulfate on BDD anode

Dredged sediments, as a product of mitigating endogenous pollution of rivers and lakes, cause severe environmental pollution without suitable disposal. To reduce dredged sediments, the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of peroxydisulfate (PS) on a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode (EO/BDD-PS) was utilized to enhance the dewaterability of the dredged sediments. The soluble chemical oxygen demand increased in the EO/BDD-PS system, and more than 70.0% of the specific resistance to filtration was reduced by EO/BDD-PS within 20 min. The optimal conditions were determined to be as follows: current density, 30 mA cm^-2; PS dosage 4 g L^-1; and initial pH, 6.96. After treatment with EO/BDD-PS, the electronegativity of the sludge flocs was alleviated and the particle size increased from 7.61 to 10.64 μm. Furthermore, proteins and polysaccharides were degraded, and tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (TB-EPS) and loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) were effectively transported to soluble EPS (S-EPS). Furthermore, humification of organic matter occurred in S-EPS and LB-EPS when the dredged sediment was treated with EO/BDD-PS. Dominant hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and sulfate radicals (SO₄•^-) were generated in the EO/BDD-PS system. Moreover, the efficiency of the filtrate as an electrolyte decreased slightly after recycling five times. Therefore, this method may be economical for enhancing the dewaterability of dredged sediments.

Thiourea Dioxide Coupled with Trace Cu(II): An Effective Process for the Reductive Degradation of Diatrizoate

Diatrizoate, a refractory ionic iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) compound, cannot be efficiently degraded in a complex wastewater matrix even by advanced oxidation processes. We report in this research that a homogeneous process, thiourea dioxide (TDO) coupled with trace Cu(II) (several micromoles, ubiquitous in some wastewater), is effective for reductive deiodination and degradation of diatrizoate at neutral pH values. Specifically, the molar ratio of iodide released to TDO consumed reached 2 under ideal experimental conditions. TDO eventually decomposed into urea and sulfite/sulfate. Based on the results of diatrizoate degradation, TDO decomposition, and Cu(I) generation and consumption during the TDO-Cu(II) reaction, we confirmed that Cu(I) is responsible for diatrizoate degradation. However, free Cu(I) alone did not work. It was proposed that Cu(I) complexes are actual reactive species toward diatrizoate. Inorganic anions and effluent organic matter negatively influence diatrizoate degradation, but by increasing the TDO dosage, as well as extending the reaction time, its degradation efficiency can still be guaranteed for real hospital wastewater. This reduction reaction could be potentially useful for in situ deiodination and degradation of diatrizoate in hospital wastewater before discharge into municipal sewage networks.

Sulfite enhanced transformation of iopamidol by UV photolysis in the presence of oxygen: Role of oxysulfur radicals

UV/sulfite process in the absence of oxygen was previously applied as an advanced reduction process for the removal of many halogenated organics and inorganics in water and wastewater. Here, it was found that UV/sulfite process in the presence of oxygen could act as an advanced oxidation process. Specifically, the oxysulfur radicals (including sulfate radical (SO₄^·-) and sulfite/peroxomonosulfate radicals (SO₃^·-/SO₅^·-)) played important roles on the degradation of iopamidol (IPM) as a typical iodinated contrast media (ICM). Furthermore, the contribution of SO₄^·- on IPM removal gradually increased as pH increased from 5 to 7 and that of SO₃^·-/SO₅^·- decreased. Besides, all water quality parameters (i.e., chloride (Cl^-), iodide (I^-) and natural organic matter (NOM)) investigated here exhibited inhibitory effect on IPM removal. Three inorganic iodine species (i.e., I^-, reactive iodine species and iodate (IO₃^-)) were detected in UV/sulfite process in the presence of oxygen, while only I^- was detected in that without oxygen. During UV/sulfite/ethanol, UV photolysis and UV/peroxydisulfate (PDS)/tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) processes, thirteen transformation products including eleven deiodinated products of IPM were identified by ultra HPLC quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Besides, these products generated by direct UV photolysis, SO₄^·- and SO₃^·-/SO₅^·- were further distinguished. The acute toxicity assay of Vibrio fischeri indicated that transformation products by UV/sulfite under aerobic conditions were less toxic than that by direct UV photolysis.

Electrochemical Removal of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants Using Robust Laser-Induced Graphene Membranes

The removal of emerging environmental pollutants in water and wastewater is essential for high drinking water quality or for discharge to the environment. Electrochemical treatment is a promising technology shown to degrade undesirable organic compounds or metals via oxidation and reduction, and carbon-based electrodes have been reported. Here, we fabricated a robust, porous laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode on a commercial water treatment membrane using the multilasing technique and demonstrated the electrochemical removal of iohexol, an iodine contrast compound, and chromium(VI), a highly toxic heavy metal ion. Multiple lasing resulted in a more ordered graphitic lattice, a more physically robust carbon layer, and a 3-4-fold higher electrical conductivity. These properties ultimately led to a more efficient electrochemical process, and the optimized LIG electrodes showed a higher hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generation. At 3 V, 90% of Cr(VI) was removed after 6 h and reached >95% removal after 8 h at pH 2. Cr(VI) was mainly reduced to Cr(III), with small amounts of Cr(I) and Cr(0), which were partially deposited on the electrode membrane surface, confirmed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Under the same conditions, 50% of iohexol was degraded after 6 h and the transformation products (TPs) were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. A total of seven main intermediates were identified including deiodinated TPs (m/z = 695, 570, and 443), probably occurring via three transformation pathways including oxidative deiodination, amide hydrolysis, and deacetylation. The electrical energy costs calculated for the removal of 2 mg L^-1 Cr(VI) was ∼$0.08/m³ in this system. Taken together, the porous LIG electrodes might be utilized for electrochemical removal of emerging contaminants in multiple applications because they can be rapidly formed on flexible polymer substrates at low cost.

Transformation of X-ray contrast media by conventional and advanced oxidation processes during water treatment: Efficiency, oxidation intermediates, and formation of iodinated byproducts

X-ray contrast media (ICM), as the most widely used intravascular pharmaceuticals, have been frequently detected in various environmental compartments. ICM have attracted increasingly scientific interest owing to their role as an iodine contributor, resulting in the high risk of forming toxic iodinated byproducts (I-BPs) during water treatment. In this review, we present the state-of-the-art findings relating to the removal efficiency as well as oxidation intermediates of ICM by conventional and advanced oxidation processes. Moreover, formation of specific small-molecular I-BPs (e.g., iodoacetic acid and iodoform) during these processes is also summarized. Conventional oxidants and disinfectants including chlorine (HOCl) and chloramine (NH₂Cl) have low reactivities towards ICM with HOCl being more reactive. Iodinated/deiodinated intermediates are generated from reactions of HOCl/NH₂Cl with ICM, and they can be further transformed into small-molecular I-BPs. Types of disinfectants and ICM as well as solution conditions (e.g., presence of bromide (Br^-) and natural organic matters (NOM)) display significant impact on formation of I-BPs during chlor(am)ination of ICM. Uncatalyzed advanced oxidation process (AOPs) involving ozone (O₃) and ferrate (Fe(VI)) exhibit slow to mild reactivities towards ICM, usually leading to their incomplete removal under typical water treatment conditions. In contrast, UV photolysis and catalyzed AOPs including hydroxyl radical (HO^•) and/or sulfate radical (SO₄^.-) based AOPs (e.g., UV/hydrogen peroxide, UV/persulfate, UV/peroxymonosulfate (PMS), and CuO/PMS) and reactive chlorine species (RCS) involved AOPs (e.g., UV/HOCl and UV/NH₂Cl) can effectively eliminate ICM under various conditions. Components of water matrix (e.g., chloride (Cl^-), Br^-, bicarbonate (HCO₃^-), and NOM) have great impact on oxidation efficiency of ICM by catalyzed AOPs. Generally, similar intermediates are formed from ICM oxidation by UV photolysis and AOPs, mainly resulting from a series reactions of the side chain and/or C-I groups (e.g. cleavage, dealkylation, oxidation, and rearrange). Further oxidation or disinfection of these intermediates leads to formation of small-molecular I-BPs. Pre-oxidation of ICM-containing waters by AOPs tends to increase formation of I-BPs during post-disinfection process, while this trend also depends on the oxidation processes applied and solution conditions. This review summarizes the latest research findings relating to ICM transformation and (by)products formation during disinfection and AOPs in water treatment, which has great implications for the practical applications of these technologies.

Electrochemical Processes Coupled to a Biological Treatment for the Removal of Iodinated X-ray Contrast Media Compounds

Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) compounds are a form of intravenous radiocontrast containing iodine, which are rapidly eliminated via urine or feces. The issue with the accumulation of ICM has received considerable critical attention since they are ubiquitously distributed in municipal wastewater effluents and in the aquatic environment and are not significantly eliminated by most biological sewage treatment processes. Among the methods that have been tested to eliminate ICM, electrochemical methods have significant advantages, since they can selectively cut the carbon-iodine bonds that are suspected to decrease their biodegradability. On the production sites, the recovery of iodine ions due to the carbon-iodine cleavage can be envisaged, which is particularly interesting to reduce the cost of the ICM production process. The coupling of an electrochemical process and a biological treatment can be carried out to mineralize the organic part of the formed by-products, allowing the recovery of the iodide ions. Therefore, the degradation of diatrizoate, a typical ionic ICM compound, by an electrochemical process was the purpose of this study. The electrochemical reduction of diatrizoate was performed using a flow cell with a graphite felt electrode at different potentials. The removal yield of diatrizoate reached ~100% in 2 h and the main product, 3,5-diacetamidobenzoic acid, was quantitatively formed, showing that diatrizoate was almost completely deiodinated. According to the BOD₅/COD ratio, the biodegradability of diatrizoate after electrolysis was considerably improved. Cyclic voltammetry analysis of the electroreduced solution showed several oxidation peaks. The electrochemical oxidation of the by-products formed after the first treatment by electroreduction was then performed at three different potentials to study the influence of electrochemical oxidation on biodegradability. Results showed that the degradation yield of the deiodinated by-products increased with the potential and reached 100% at 1.3 V/SCE. Four different biological treatments were implemented during 21 days in stirred flasks with fresh activated sludge. The evolution of the mineralization during the biological treatment highlighted the biorecalcitrance of diatrizoate as previously estimated by the BOD₅/COD ratio. Interestingly, the mineralization yield increased from 41 to 60% when electrochemical oxidation at 1.3 V/SCE was implemented after electroreduction.

Comparison of inert and non-inert cathode in cathode/Fe3+/Peroxymonosulfate processes on iohexol degradation

To investigate the effect of cathode materials on organics degradation in a cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS process, different cathode materials (platinum, copper and iron) were selected and their performances were compared with iohexol as target organics. The optimal conditions were found to be different for different cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS processes. With a relatively high cathodic current input (2.0 mA/cm²), similar results were found for all the three cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS processes. With a small cathodic current input (not higher than 1.0 mA/cm²), the iohexol removal followed the order of Fe-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS > Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS > Pt-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS, due to the corrosion of Cu-cathode and Fe-cathode and the more serious corrosion of Fe-cathode than Cu-cathode. The corrosion of non-inert cathode materials (Cu-cathode and Fe-cathode) meant that these cathodes not only transmitted electrons but also participated in aqueous reactions, which complicated the mechanisms of cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS processes. The radical identification experiments indicated that SO₄^- was more important than OH for iohexol degradation in Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS process, while OH played a major role in Pt-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS and Fe-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS processes. The different reaction mechanisms resulted in different iohexol transformation pathways in cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS processes with different cathode materials.

Abiotic reductive deiodination of iodinated organic compounds and X-ray contrast media catalyzed by free corrinoids

Iodinated X-ray contrast media are known for their stability concerning deiodination in the aquatic environment under aerobic conditions. In this study, we demonstrate the abiotic reductive deiodination of the iodinated contrast media iopromide, iopamidol and diatrizoate in the presence of corrinoids. In addition, triiodinated benzoic acid derivatives with iodine atoms bound at different positions were investigated. Corrinoids like cyanocobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) and dicyanocobinamide served as electron shuttles and as catalysts between the reducing agent (e.g., titanium (III) citrate) and the electron accepting iodinated compound. The concentration decrease of the iodinated compounds followed first-order kinetics with rate constant k_obs depending on the iodinated compound. A linear correlation between the rate of iodide release and the corrinoid concentration was observed, with deiodination rates for dicyanocobinamide twice as high as for vitamin B₁₂. Reducing agents with a less negative standard redox potential like dithiothreitol or cysteine caused slower deiodination as the cobalt center was only reduced to its Co^II oxidation state. With a temperature increase from 11 to 23 °C, the concentrations of released iodide doubled. A complete deiodination was only observed for the iodinated contrast media but not for structurally similar iodinated benzoic acid derivatives.

Performance of Cu-cathode/Fe3+/peroxymonosulfate process on iohexol degradation

Copper was used as a non-inert cathode material in a Cathode/Fe³⁺/peroxymonosulfate(PMS) system, and the performance of this novel Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS system was tested with a typical iodinated X-ray contrast media (iohexol) as target organics. The reaction mechanisms and the iohexol degradation pathways were investigated. The operational conditions of Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS process on iohexol degradation were optimized to be 1.0 mM Fe³⁺ dosage, 3.0 mM PMS dosage and 0.50 mA/cm² of current input. The much lower current applied in the present study than previous reports would help to save energy and be more economical. Compared with typical inert cathode (Pt-cathode), the Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS process has better performance on both iohexol removal and deiodination, due to that Cu-cathode participated in Fe²⁺ regeneration and PMS activation via surface Cu°-Cu⁺(s)-Cu²⁺-Cu° redox cycle. Fe²⁺ could be produced via reactions between Fe³⁺ and Cu/Cu⁺(s) as well as cathodic reduction of Fe³⁺. SO₄^- was generated from PMS activation by Fe²⁺, Cu/Cu⁺(s) and cathodic reduction. OH was also generated in this process but SO₄^- played a dominant role in iohexol degradation. The intermediate products of iohexol and its transformation pathways were complex due to the varied reaction mechanisms involving both oxidation and reduction in Cu-cathode/Fe³⁺/PMS process.

Electrochemical activation of sulfate by BDD anode in basic medium for efficient removal of organic pollutants

Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) based on hydroxyl radicals (OH) have some limitations when they are applied to real wastewater treatment, such like strict requirements on pH (acidic electrolyte) and high energy consumption. Compared to OH, Sulfate radicals (SO₄^-) have high redox potential in wider range of pH (2-9). In this study, SO₄^- were efficiently produced by electrochemical activation of SO₄^2- at boron doped diamond (BDD) anode. The degradation rate of 2,4-DCP (k = 0.828 ± 0.05 h^-1) in the presence of Na₂SO₄ was approximately 4 times than that without Na₂SO₄ (k = 0.219 ± 0.01 h^-1), indicating that SO₄^- exhibited higher reactivity than OH at initial pH = 9. Moreover, the amount of O₂ decreased by 65% after 100 min during electro-oxidation of 2,4-DCP and the specific energy consumption per unit TOC (EC_TOC) was reduced by 70% when the concentration of Na₂SO₄ increased from 0.01 to 0.1 M. The impact of sulfate ions in the electrochemical advanced oxidation were investigated. Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements were conducted to identify the formation of SO₄^-. Electrolysis of 2,4-DCP with specific radical scavengers (ethanol and tert-Butanol) were conducted and the results revealed that SO₄^- were mainly produced by one-electron loss of sulfate at basic condition. Electro-generation persulfate was measured and participation of non-radical activation of persulfate was investigated. O₂ production was quantified and we found electrochemical activation of sulfate could inhibit water dissociation. Taken all findings, a mechanism of electrochemical activation of sulfate at BDD anode was summarized. This technology eliminates the requirement for pH adjustment for wastewater treatment and makes EAOPs more effective and economic as well.

Electrochemical reductive dehalogenation of iodine-containing contrast agent pharmaceuticals: Examination of reactions of diatrizoate and iopamidol using the method of rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE)

This study examined the electrochemical (EC) reduction of iodinated contrast media (ICM) exemplified by iopamidol and diatrizoate. The method of rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE) was used to elucidate rates and mechanisms of the EC reactions of the selected ICMs. Experiments were carried at varying hydrodynamic conditions, concentrations of iopamidol, diatrizoate, natural organic matter (NOM) and model compounds (resorcinol, catechol, guaiacol) which were used to examine interactions between products of the EC reduction of ICMs and halogenation-active species. The data showed that iopamidol and diatrizoate were EC-reduced at potentials < -0.45 V vs. s.c.e. In the range of potentials -0.65 to -0.85 V their reduction was mass transfer-controlled. The presence of NOM and model compounds did not affect the EC reduction of iopamidol and diatrizoate but active iodine species formed as a result of the EC-induced transformations of these ICMs reacted readily with NOM and model compounds. These data provide more insight into the nature of generation of iodine-containing by-products in the case of reductive degradation of ICMs.

Closed-Loop Electrochemical Recycling of Spent Copper(II) from Etchant Wastewater Using a Carbon Nanotube Modified Graphite Felt Anode

Developing effective technologies for treatment of spent etchant in printed circuit boards industries is of paramount for sustainable copper reuse and reducing copper discharge. We developed a novel closed-loop electrochemical cell for on-site regeneration of spent acidic cupric chloride etchant. It does not have any emissions and recycles all the copper using a three-dimensional graphite felt anode decorated with carbon nanotube (CNT/GF). The CNT/GF anode oxidizes Cu(I) to Cu(II) so that the spent cuprous chloride can be converted to cupric chloride and reused. The decorated CNT layer with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity for Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox. The CuCl₃^2- is oxidized to CuCl⁺ at the anode and the CuCl⁺ is reduced to Cu(0) at the cathode. The closed-loop cycle system converts the catholyte into the anolyte. On average, the energy consumption of Cu(I) oxidation by CNT/GF is decreased by 12%, comparing to that by untreated graphite felt. The oxidation rate of Cu(I) is determined by the current density, and there is no delay for the mass transport of Cu(I). This study highlights the outstanding electrocatalytic performance, the rapid mass-transfer kinetics, and the excellent stability of the CNT/GF electrode, and provides an energy-efficient and zero-emission strategy for the regeneration of etchant waste.

A novel method for photo-oxidative degradation of diatrizoate in water via electromagnetic induction electrodeless lamp

In this study, an electromagnetic induction electrodeless lamp (EIEL) was first introduced into UV advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for photodegradation of Diatrizoate (DTZ), which was the most persistent iodinated X-ray contrast medium (ICM), and traditional Hg lamps were taken as references. Direct photolysis rate of DTZ under EIEL irradiation was 1.34 times as that under Hg irradiation, but the electric energy consumption was 0.87 times. In this sense, the combination of EIEL and oxidants (O₂, H₂O₂ and S₂O₈^2-(PS)) was further investigated. The remarkably increased photodegradation rates were observed in UV/PS system due to primary contribution rate of SO₄^- (62.5%) based on the results of radical concentrations and second-order rate constants of DTZ with SO₄^- and OH. Inorganic ions influencing the photodegradation process were investigated. The effect of natural organic materials (NOMs) in UV/PS system was studied based on contribution ratios of light screening effect and quenching. Transformation mechanisms of DTZ in UV/PS system included deiodination, intramolecular cyclization, decarboxylation, deacetylation and deamination, which were further confirmed by frontier electron density calculations. The study indicated that UV/PS with EIEL irradiation has the potential to remove pharmaceuticals in contaminated aquatic environments.

Elimination of radiocontrast agent diatrizoic acid by photo-Fenton process and enhanced treatment by coupling with electro-Fenton process

The removal of radiocontrast agent diatrizoic acid (DIA) from water was performed using photo-Fenton (PF) process. First, the effect of H2O2 dosage on mineralization efficiency was determined using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The system reached a maximum mineralization degree of 60 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal at 4 h with 20 mM initial H2O2 concentration while further concentration values led to a decrease in TOC abatement efficiency. Then, the effect of different concentrations of Fenton's reagents was studied for homogeneous Fenton process. Obtained results revealed that 0.25 mM Fe(3+) and 20 mM H2O2 were the best conditions, achieving 80 % TOC removal efficiency at 4 h treatment. Furthermore, heterogeneous PF treatment was developed using iron-activated carbon as catalyst. It was demonstrated that this catalyst is a promising option, reaching 67 % of TOC removal within 4 h treatment without formation of iron leachate in the medium. In addition, two strategies of enhancement for process efficiency are proposed: coupling of PF with electro-Fenton (EF) process in two ways: photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) or PF followed by EF (PF-EF) treatments, achieving in both cases the complete mineralization of DIA solution within only 2 h. Finally, the Microtox tests revealed the formation of more toxic compounds than the initial DIA during PF process, while, it was possible to reach total mineralization by both proposed alternatives (PEF or PF-EF) and thus to remove the toxicity of DIA solution.

Single and Coupled Electrochemical Processes and Reactors for the Abatement of Organic Water Pollutants: A Critical Review

Traditional physicochemical and biological techniques, as well as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), are often inadequate, ineffective, or expensive for industrial water reclamation. Within this context, the electrochemical technologies have found a niche where they can become dominant in the near future, especially for the abatement of biorefractory substances. In this critical review, some of the most promising electrochemical tools for the treatment of wastewater contaminated by organic pollutants are discussed in detail with the following goals: (1) to present the fundamental aspects of the selected processes; (2) to discuss the effect of both the main operating parameters and the reactor design on their performance; (3) to critically evaluate their advantages and disadvantages; and (4) to forecast the prospect of their utilization on an applicable scale by identifying the key points to be further investigated. The review is focused on the direct electrochemical oxidation, the indirect electrochemical oxidation mediated by electrogenerated active chlorine, and the coupling between anodic and cathodic processes. The last part of the review is devoted to the critical assessment of the reactors that can be used to put these technologies into practice.

Cathodic degradation of antibiotics: characterization and pathway analysis

Antibiotics in wastewaters must be degraded to eliminate their antibacterial activity before discharging into the environment. A cathode can provide continuous electrons for the degradation of refractory pollutants, however the cathodic degradation feasibility, efficiency and pathway for different kinds of antibiotics is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the degradation of four antibiotics, namely nitrofurazone (NFZ), metronidazole (MNZ), chloramphenicol (CAP), and florfenicol (FLO) by a poised cathode in a dual chamber electrochemical reactor. The cyclic voltammetry preliminarily proved the feasibility of the cathodic degradation of these antibiotics. The cathodic reducibility of these antibiotics followed the order of NFZ > MNZ > CAP > FLO. A decreased phosphate buffered solution (PBS) concentration as low as 2 mM or utilization of NaCl buffer solution as catholyte had significant influence on antibiotics degradation rate and efficiency for CAP and FLO but not for NFZ and MNZ. PBS could be replaced by Na2CO3-NaHCO3 buffer solution as catholyte for the degradation of these antibiotics. Reductive dechlorination of CAP proceeded only after the reduction of the nitro group to aromatic amine. The composition of the degradation products depended on the cathode potential except for MNZ. The cathodic degradation process could eliminate the antibacterial activity of these antibiotics. The current study suggests that the electrochemical reduction could serve as a potential pretreatment or advanced treatment unit for the treatment of antibiotics containing wastewaters.

Electrochemical oxidation of tramadol in low-salinity reverse osmosis concentrates using boron-doped diamond anodes

The electrochemical treatment of low-salinity reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates was investigated using tramadol (100 μM) as a model substance for persistent organic contaminants. Galvanostatic degradation experiments using boron-doped diamond electrodes at different applied currents were conducted in RO concentrates as well as in ultra-pure water containing either sodium chloride or sodium sulfate. Kinetic investigations revealed a significant influence of in-situ generated active chlorine besides direct anodic oxidation. Therefore, tramadol concentrations decreased more rapidly at elevated chloride content. Nevertheless, reduction of total organic carbon (TOC) was found to be comparatively low, demonstrating that transformation rather than mineralization was taking place. Early stage product formation could be attributed to both direct and indirect processes, including demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydration, oxidative aromatic ring cleavage and halogenation reactions. The latter led to various halogenated derivatives and resulted in AOX (adsorbable organic halogens) formation in the lower mg/L-range depending on the treatment conditions. Characterisation of transformation products (TPs) was achieved via MS(n) experiments and additional NMR measurements. Based on identification and quantification of the main TPs in different matrices and on additional potentiostatic electrolysis, a transformation pathway was proposed.

Iodinated contrast media electro-degradation: process performance and degradation pathways

The electrochemical degradation of six of the most widely used iodinated contrast media was investigated. Batch experiments were performed under constant current conditions using two DSA® electrodes (titanium coated with a proprietary and patented mixed metal oxide solution of precious metals such as iridium, ruthenium, platinum, rhodium and tantalum). The degradation removal never fell below 85% (at a current density of 64 mA/cm(2) with a reaction time of 150 min) when perchlorate was used as the supporting electrolyte; however, when sulphate was used, the degradation performance was above 80% (at a current density of 64 mA/cm(2) with a reaction time of 150 min) for all of the compounds studied. Three main degradation pathways were identified, namely, the reductive de-iodination of the aromatic ring, the reduction of alkyl aromatic amides to simple amides and the de-acylation of N-aromatic amides to produce aromatic amines. However, as amidotrizoate is an aromatic carboxylate, this is added via the decarboxylation reaction. The investigation did not reveal toxicity except for the lower current density used, which has shown a modest toxicity, most likely for some reaction intermediates that are not further degraded. In order to obtain total removal of the contrast media, it was necessary to employ a current intensity between 118 and 182 mA/cm(2) with energy consumption higher than 370 kWh/m(3). Overall, the electrochemical degradation was revealed to be a reliable process for the treatment of iodinated contrast media that can be found in contaminated waters such as hospital wastewater or pharmaceutical waste-contaminated streams.

Removal of the iodinated X-ray contrast medium diatrizoate by anaerobic transformation

The iodinated X-ray contrast medium diatrizoate is known to be very persistent in current wastewater treatment as well as in environmental compartments. In this study, the potential of anaerobic processes in soils, sediments, and during wastewater treatment to remove and transform diatrizoate was investigated. In anaerobic batch experiments with soil and sediment seven biologically formed transformation products (TPs) as well as the corresponding transformation pathway were identified. The TPs resulted from successive deiodinations and deacetylations. The final TP 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DABA) was stable under anaerobic conditions. However, DABA was further transformed under air atmosphere, indicating the potential for the mineralization of diatrizoate by combining anaerobic and aerobic conditions. With the development of a methodology using complementary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry techniques, all identified TPs were quantified and the mass balance could be closed without having authentic standards for four of the TPs available. The detection and quantification of diatrizoate TPs in groundwater, in technical wetlands with anaerobic zones, and in a pilot wastewater treatment plant established for anaerobic treatment highlights the transferability and up-scaling of the results attained by laboratory experiments to environmental conditions.