Publication Cover
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume 48, 2013 - Issue 3
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ARTICLES

Comparison of different advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of two fluoroquinolone antibiotics in aqueous solutions

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Pages 251-262 | Received 23 Feb 2012, Published online: 17 Dec 2012
 

Abstract

In this study a comparative assessment using various advanced oxidation processes (UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/Fe(II), O3, O3/UV, O3/UV/H2O2 and O3/UV/H2O2/Fe(II)) was attempted to degrade efficiently two fluoroquinolone drugs ENR [enrofloxacin (1-Cyclopropyl-7-(4-ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolonecarboxylic acid)] and CIP [ciprofloxacin (1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-(piperazin-1-yl)-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid)] in aqueous solutions at a concentrations of 0.15 mM for each drug. The efficiency of the applied oxidation processes (AOPs) has been estimated by the conversion of the original substrate (XENR and XCIP) and the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC). Special emphasis was laid on the effect of varying reaction pH as well as of the applied oxidant doses on the observed reaction kinetics for each advanced oxidation processes. High degradation efficiencies, particularly in terms of rates of TOC and COD abatement, were obtained for photo-Fenton assisted ozonation [O3/UV/H2O2/Fe(II)], compared to other advanced oxidation processes. At pH 3 and 25°C best results for the degradation of both investigated drugs were achieved when 10 mM H2O2, 0.5 mM Fe(II) and an initial dose of 8.5 mg L−1 ozone were applied. In addition, the evolution of toxicity of the reaction mixtures for different AOPs has been studied by the bioluminescence test (LUMIStox 300).

Acknowledgments

The research has been financially supported by the Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Munich, Germany. Maria Bobu wishes to express her gratitude towards the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research for the “Nicolae Titulescu” Fellowship and towards the Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Ecological Chemistry for the internship.

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