Evaluation of UV/H(2)O(2) treatment for the oxidation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater.
Advanced oxidation treatment using low pressure UV light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H(2)O(2)) was evaluated for the oxidation of six pharmaceuticals in three wastewater effluents. The removal of these six pharmaceuticals (meprobamate, carbamazepine, dilantin, atenolol, primidone and trimethoprim) varied between no observed removal and >90%. The role of the water quality (i.e., alkalinity, nitrite, and specifically effluent organic matter (EfOM)) on hydroxyl radical (OH) exposure was evaluated and used to explain the differences in pharmaceutical removal between the three wastewaters. Results indicated that the efficacy of UV/H(2)O(2) treatment for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater was a function of not only the concentration of EfOM but also its inherent reactivity towards OH. The removal of pharmaceuticals also correlated with reductions in ultraviolet absorbance at 254nm (UV(254)), which offers utilities a surrogate to assess pharmaceutical removal efficiency during UV/H(2)O(2) treatment.
Rosario-Ortiz
Fernando L
FL
Southern Nevada Water Authority, P.O. Box 99954, Las Vegas, NV 89193-9954, USA. fernando.rosario@colorado.edu
Wert
Eric C
EC
Snyder
Shane A
SA
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014867:Water / Q000592:standards; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide