Combined chemical oxidation and biological processes for herbicide degradation

ALFANO, O.M.; ISLA, M.A.; BENZAQUEN, T.B.

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 91 p. 718 - 725

0268-2575

BACKGROUND: Fenton and photo-Fenton processes were explored as photochemical pre-treatments to improve the biodegradabilityof wastewater containing atrazine, a commercial pesticide. The effects of H2O2, Fe3+ and irradiation level on the degradationprocesses were studied and the optimal conditions determined.RESULTS: Fenton and photo-Fenton oxidation systems were able to remove 85 and 100% of atrazine, respectively, in a 120 minperiod. These processes produced a biocompatible solution, removing 100% of the initial biorecalcitrant compound; however,cyanuric acid remained in the effluent after the chemical oxidation treatment due to the stability of the N-heterocyclic ring of thisacid. Nevertheless, it was found that the cyanuric acid remaining from the photo-oxidative process can be removed by means ofan anaerobic treatment.CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this work indicate that a coupled photo-Fenton?biological treatment system is a feasiblemethod to achieve the complete mineralization of biorecalcitrant pollutants such as atrazine.© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry