Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor with adverse oestrogen-like effects eliciting adverse effects in humans and wildlife. For this reason it is necessary to set up an efficient removal of BPA from wastewaters, before they are discharged into surface waters. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of BPA removal from aqueous samples with photolytic, photocatalytic, and UV/H₂O₂ oxidation. BPA solutions were illuminated with different bulbs (halogen; 17 W UV, 254 nm; and 150 W UV, 365 nm) with or without the TiO₂ P-25 catalyst or H₂O₂ (to accelerate degradation). Acute toxicity and oestrogenic activity of treated samples were determined using luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), water fleas (Daphnia magna), zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), and Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) assay with genetically modified yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results confirmed that BPA is toxic and oestrogenically active. Chemical analysis showed a reduction of BPA levels after photolytic treatment and 100 % conversion of BPA by photocatalytic and UV/H₂O₂ oxidation. The toxicity and oestrogenic activity of BPA were largely reduced in photolytically treated samples. Photocatalytic oxidation, however, either did not reduce BPA toxic and oestrogenic effects or even increased them in comparison with the baseline, untreated BPA solution. Our findings suggest that chemical analysis is not sufficient to determine the efficiency of advanced oxidation processes in removing pollutants from water and needs to be complemented with biological tests.
Highlights
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor with adverse oestrogen-like effects eliciting adverse effects in humans and wildlife
The presence of endocrine disrupting compounds (ECDs) in surface waters has been noted since the early 1980s [1, 2]
Some of the degradation by-products may have a stronger biological effect than the original compound [23]. For this reason, treated samples should be biologically tested for residual toxicity and oestrogenicity to determine the potential risks of Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) treatment
Summary
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor with adverse oestrogen-like effects eliciting adverse effects in humans and wildlife For this reason it is necessary to set up an efficient removal of BPA from wastewaters, before they are discharged into surface waters. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commercially important chemical [11], used in the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate products, and plasticisers and as a polymerisation inhibitor in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) It enters the aquatic environment through municipal wastewater discharges and leachate from landfills. Some of the degradation by-products may have a stronger biological effect than the original compound [23] For this reason, treated samples should be biologically tested for residual toxicity and oestrogenicity to determine the potential risks of AOP treatment. The aim of our study was to degrade BPA in aqueous samples with AOPs, compare the toxicity and oestrogenic activity of the baseline BPA sample with treated samples, and identify the most efficient AOP method
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