Ozonation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water Solution

ABSTRACT

The degradation of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): benzo[a]pyrene (BAP), chrysene (CHR), and fluorene (FLU) in aqueous solution using ozone was investigated. The influence of pH of the reaction mixture, ozone concentration, and the presence of a radical scavenger on the reaction rate was determined. The highest rate of PAHs disappearance was achieved in acidic solutions. The radical scavenger, tert-butanol, effectively inhibited the rate of PAHs destruction. The rate constants of direct reaction of PAHs with ozone were calculated and they were equal to (3.32 ± 0.21) × 10⁴; (1.10 ± 0.15) × 10⁴ and 44.8 ± 1.1 M⁻¹s⁻¹ for BAP, CHR, and FLU, respectively. The contributions of direct ozonolysis, and radical reaction to PAHs oxidation in ozonation processes, were evaluated.

Keywords:

• Ozone
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Benzo[a]pyrene
• Chrysene
• Fluorene
• PAH Destruction

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the State Committee for Scientific Research (Poland) for financial support through Grant no. 3T09C02412.