1
|
Reis R, Dhawle R, Du Pasquier D, Tindall AJ, Frontistis Z, Mantzavinos D, de Witte P, Cabooter D. Electrochemical degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol: Transformation products, degradation pathways and in vivo assessment of estrogenic activity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 176:107992. [PMID: 37244003 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Conventional water treatment methods are not efficient in eliminating endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in wastewater. Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (eAOPs) offer a promising alternative, as they electro-generate highly reactive species that oxidize EDCs. However, these processes produce a wide spectrum of transformation products (TPs) with unknown chemical and biological properties. Therefore, a comprehensive chemical and biological evaluation of these remediation technologies is necessary before they can be safely applied in real-life situations. In this study, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a persistent estrogen, was electrochemically degraded using a boron doped diamond anode with sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and sodium chloride (NaCl) as supporting electrolytes. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used for the quantification of EE2 and the identification of TPs. Estrogenic activity was assessed using a transgenic medaka fish line. At optimal operating conditions, EE2 removal reached over 99.9% after 120 min and 2 min, using Na2SO4 and NaCl, respectively. The combined EE2 quantification and in vivo estrogenic assessment demonstrated the overall estrogenic activity was consistently reduced with the degradation of EE2, but not completely eradicated. The identification and time monitoring of TPs showed that the radical agents readily oxidized the phenolic A-ring of EE2, leading to the generation of hydroxylated and/or halogenated TPs and ring-opening products. eAOP revealed to be a promising technique for the removal of EE2 from water. However, caution should be exercised with respect to the generation of potentially toxic TPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Reis
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department for Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Dhawle
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - David Du Pasquier
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, Bâtiment Genavenir 3, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Andrew J Tindall
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, Bâtiment Genavenir 3, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Zacharias Frontistis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50132 Kozani, Greece; School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Deirdre Cabooter
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department for Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zekkari M, Ouargli-Saker R, Boudissa F, Lachachi AK, El Houda Sekkal KN, Tayeb R, Boukoussa B, Azzouz A. Silica-catalyzed ozonation of 17α -ethinyl-estradiol in aqueous media-to better understand the role of silica in soils. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 298:134312. [PMID: 35304212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A promising route for thorough removal of 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) from aqueous media was achieved through ozonation using mesoporous silicas such SBA-15, SBA-16, MCM-41 and MCM-48 as catalysts. Comparison with aluminosilicates along with Zeta potential and particle size measurements allowed demonstrating that EE2 interaction with silanols and hydrophobic -Si-O-Si- groups are essential requirements for the catalytic activity. Acid-base interactions, if any, should have minor contribution. EE2 hydroxylation appears to be an early step in the ozonation on all catalysts, but MCM-41 showed increased activity in phenolic ring cleavage. Confrontation of HPLC-UV and UV-Vis and HPLC-UV measurements revealed highest catalytic activity for MCM-41 and to a lesser extend of MCM-48 due to their higher specific surface area and weaker acid character. These results provide valuable findings for judiciously tailoring optimum [EE2-Silica:Water] interactions for thorough oxidative degradation of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Zekkari
- Nanoqam, Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, H3C3P8, Canada; Laboratoire des Sciences, Technologie et Génie des Procédés, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie D'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, El M'naouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Rachida Ouargli-Saker
- Nanoqam, Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, H3C3P8, Canada; Laboratoire des Sciences, Technologie et Génie des Procédés, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie D'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, El M'naouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Farida Boudissa
- Nanoqam, Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, H3C3P8, Canada
| | - Asma Kawther Lachachi
- Nanoqam, Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, H3C3P8, Canada; Laboratoire des Sciences, Technologie et Génie des Procédés, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie D'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, El M'naouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Kawter Nor El Houda Sekkal
- Laboratoire des Sciences, Technologie et Génie des Procédés, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie D'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, El M'naouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Rachida Tayeb
- Laboratoire des Sciences, Technologie et Génie des Procédés, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie D'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, El M'naouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Bouhadjar Boukoussa
- Département de Génie des Matériaux, Faculté de Chimie, Université des Sciences et de La Technologie Mohamed Boudiaf, El-Mnaouer, BP, 1505, Oran, Algeria
| | - Abdelkrim Azzouz
- Nanoqam, Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, H3C3P8, Canada; École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, Québec, H3C 1K3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Domínguez JR, González T, Correia S. BDD electrochemical oxidation of neonicotinoid pesticides in natural surface waters. Operational, kinetic and energetic aspects. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 298:113538. [PMID: 34403917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids pesticides were introduced to the market in the 1990s to control various pests. Its accumulation in the environment supposes a severe problem that can affect human health. This study investigates the electrochemical degradation of four common neonicotinoid pesticides; thiamethoxam (TMX), imidacloprid (ICP), acetamiprid (ACP) and thiacloprid (TCP), in different natural surface waters by a boron-doped diamond anode (BDD). The most influencing variable was the current density (j), and to a lesser extent, the supporting electrolyte concentration (Ce). In optimal conditions (j = 34.14 mA cm-2 and Ce = 10.00 mM, using Na2SO4 as electrolyte) pesticide removals for TMX, ICP, ACP and TCP were 97.2, 96.9, 87.8 and 98.2 %, respectively. The obtained results with different support electrolytes (Na2SO4, NaCl, NaNO3 and HK2PO4) suggest that sulphate electrolyte was the optimum for TMX, ICP and ACP. However, for TCP, a total removal was achieved in less than 10 min using NaCl. It was also verified that the initial pH of the solution did not significantly influence the process in the range 3-9. All these results were rationalized in this paper. Finally, to evaluate the matrix influence, some experiments were carried out in different natural surface water matrices (river, reservoir and two different WWTP effluents). The factors influencing the process were the conductivity of the solution and the organic matter content. It was noticeable that the specific energy consumption (SEC) reduced by approximately 15 % for river water and WWTP effluent. High mineralization rates were obtained for all water matrices, with TOC removals ranging between 60 and 80 %.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin R Domínguez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry. Area of Chemical Engineering. Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n, Badajoz, 06006, Spain.
| | - Teresa González
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry. Area of Chemical Engineering. Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n, Badajoz, 06006, Spain
| | - Sergio Correia
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry. Area of Chemical Engineering. Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n, Badajoz, 06006, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Torres NH, Santos GDOS, Romanholo Ferreira LF, Américo-Pinheiro JHP, Eguiluz KIB, Salazar-Banda GR. Environmental aspects of hormones estriol, 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol: Electrochemical processes as next-generation technologies for their removal in water matrices. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:128888. [PMID: 33190907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hormones as a group of emerging contaminants have been increasingly used worldwide, which has increased their concern at the environmental level in various matrices, as they reach the water bodies through effluents due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatments. Here we review the environmental scenario of hormones estriol (E3), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), explicitly their origins, their characteristics, interactions, how they reach the environment, and, above all, the severe pathological and toxicological damage to animals and humans they produce. Furthermore, studies for the treatment of these endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are deepened using electrochemical processes as the remediation methods of the respective hormones. In the reported studies, these micropollutants were detected in samples of surface water, underground, soil, and sediment at concentrations that varied from ng L-1 to μg L-1 and are capable of causing changes in the endocrine system of various organisms. However, although there are studies on the ecotoxicological effects concerning E3, E2, and EE2 hormones, little is known about their environmental dispersion and damage in quantitative terms. Moreover, biodegradation becomes the primary mechanism of removal of steroid estrogens removal by sewage treatment plants, but it is still inefficient, which shows the importance of studying electrochemically-driven processes such as the Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOP) and electrocoagulation for the removal of emerging micropollutants. Thus, this review covers information on the occurrence of these hormones in various environmental matrices, their respective treatment, and effects on exposed organisms for ecotoxicology purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nádia Hortense Torres
- Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
| | - Géssica de Oliveira Santiago Santos
- Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira
- Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | | | - Katlin Ivon Barrios Eguiluz
- Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Giancarlo Richard Salazar-Banda
- Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|