The Effectiveness of Single Oxidants and AOPs in the Degradation of Emerging Contaminants in Waters: A Comparison Study

Abstract

The effectiveness of single oxidants and several AOPs was studied for the degradation of five selected emerging contaminants: Benzotriazole, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or DEET, Chlorophene, 3-Methylindole and Nortriptyline HCl. First-order rate constants and half-life times for the degradation of each compound in ultra-pure water were deduced and compared. The AOPs were later applied to the degradation of these ECs present in three real waters: public reservoir water, and two secondary effluents from municipal wastewater plants. The effect of the variables on the ECs elimination was established. Finally, a cost estimation based on the operating costs was established for the degradation of 3-Methylindole by the single oxidants and AOPs tested.

Keywords:

• Ozone
• UV Radiation
• AOPs
• Emerging Contaminants
• Rate Constants
• Real Waters
• Costs Estimation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of Spain through the Project CTQ 2010–14823 and by the Gobierno de Extremadura through the Project RNM021. E. Rodriguez thanks the Gobierno de Extremadura for her FPI Ph.D. Grant.