Ultraviolet-activated sodium perborate process (UV/SPB) for removing humic acid from water

Abstract

Humic acid (HA) has a complex chemical composition and the ability to chelate, adsorb, and exchange ions with organic and inorganic contaminants in bodies of water, which worsens water quality and poses a threat to human health and the environment. In this research, an Ultraviolet-activated sodium perborate (UV/SPB) symbiotic method (UV/SPB) was developed to eliminate humic acid in water. The major synergistic and degradative processes of the humic acid were investigated, as well as the impact of the starting humic acid concentration, sodium perborate dose, and primary pH value on the humic acid elimination. Results indicate that just 0.5 % and 1.5 % of humic acid were eliminated mostly by sole UV and sole sodium perborate (SPB) methods, respectively. More effectively than other methods, UV/SPB removed humic acid with an efficiency of 88.83%. An experiment using free radicals to mask them revealed that the primary catalyst for humic acid removal is the hydroxyl radical generated by sodium perborate activation. The excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible absorption (UV-Vis) spectrum, absorbance ratio values, specific Ultraviolet-visible absorbance values (SUVA), and UV/SPB method performance findings demonstrated the UV/SPB method's capability to degrade and mineralize humic acid.