Degradation of Bisphenol A in an Aqueous Solution by a Photo-Fenton-Like Process Using a UV KrCl Excilamp.

Marina Sizykh,Agniya Batoeva,Denis Aseev,Galina Matafonova,Daniil Olennikov

doi:10.3390/ijerph18031152

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA), a precursor to important plastics, is regarded as a common aquatic micropollutant with endocrine-disrupting activity. In the present study, we explored the capability of a UV KrCl excilamp (222 nm) to degrade BPA by a photo-Fenton-like process using persulfate under flow-through conditions. The first-order rate constants of degradation were obtained and the mineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was estimated. The results showed complete BPA degradation and high DOC mineralization (70–97%). A comparative analysis of degradation rates and DOC removal in the examined systems (UV, Fe2+/S2O82−, UV/S2O82− and UV/Fe2+/S2O82−) revealed a significant synergistic effect in the photo-Fenton-like system (UV/Fe2+/S2O82−) without the accumulation of toxic intermediates. This indicated that the BPA was oxidized via the conjugated radical chain mechanism, which was based on the photo-induced and catalytic processes involving HO• and SO4−• radicals. The primary intermediates of BPA degradation in the UV/Fe2+/S2O82− system were identified by HPLC/MS and the oxidation pathway was proposed. The high performance of the photo-Fenton-like process employing a quasi-monochromatic UV radiation of a KrCl excilamp offers promising potential for an efficient removal of such micropollutants from aqueous media.

Highlights

IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Direct UV irradiation without persulfate showed a relatively low Bisphenol A (BPA) degradation rate so that it was converted by 84% after 60 min treatment whereas the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal reached only 13% after 4 h of exposure
The emission spectrum of the KrCl excilamp indicated the fundamental possibility of applying this UV source for persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Over the last few decades, rapid industrial development has produced a great number of hazardous biorecalcitrant micropollutants, which are discharged into the aquatic ecosystems with insufficiently treated wastewater effluents. Bisphenol A (BPA), a precursor to polycarbonate plastics and similar products, is regarded as a common aquatic micropollutant with endocrine-disrupting activity [1,2]. BPA can be readily removed in water via oxidation with hydroxyl (HO ) and sulfate anion (SO4 − ) radicals generated in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)

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Results

Conclusion