Control of ozonation for detoxification of petrochemicals in groundwater

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ozone dosage on the detoxification of petrochemicals existed in groundwater. The experiments including ozonation and activated granular carbon (GAC) adsorption were conducted on‐site. The results indicated that low ozone dosage resulted in the formation of toxic phenolic intermediates (in the case of aromatics). An appropriate ozone dosage (2 mg/L in this study) was needed in operation. The mutagenicity of raw water, ozonated water and ozone‐GAC treated water samples were evaluated using Ames test. The data showed that the ozonation was able to reduce the mutagenic activity of raw water samples significantly. The combination of ozonation with GAC adsorption can further ensure the detoxification effects of groundwater after treatment.

Key words:

• Groundwater
• petrochemicals
• ozone
• oxidation
• mutagenicity