title: Oxidation-coagulation of β-blockers by K2FeVIO4 in hospital wastewater: assessment of degradation products and biodegradability.
abstract: This study investigated the degradation of atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol beta-blockers by ferrate (K2FeO4) in hospital wastewater and in aqueous solution. In the case of hospital wastewater, the effect of the independent variables pH and [Fe(VI)] was evaluated by means of response surface methodology. The results showed that Fe(VI) plays an important role in the oxidation-coagulation process, and the treatment of the hospital wastewater led to degradations above 90% for all the three β-blockers, and to reductions of aromaticity that were close to 60%. In addition, only 17% of the organic load was removed. In aqueous solution, the degradation of the β-blockers atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol was 71.7%, 24.7% and 96.5%, respectively, when a ratio of 1:10 [β-blocker]:[Fe(VI)] was used. No mineralization was achieved, which suggests that there was a conversion of the β-blockers to degradation products identified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry tandem. Degradation pathways were proposed, which took account of the role of Fe(VI). Furthermore, the ready biodegradability of the post-process samples was evaluated by using the closed bottle test, and showed an increase in biodegradability. The use of the ferrate advanced oxidation technology seems to be a useful means of ensuring the remediation of hospital and similar wastewater.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: Waleed M M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kümmerer
authors.forename: Ayrton F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006761:Hospitals; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008506:Medical Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011433:Propranolol / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008506:Medical Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C017311:ferrate ion; D001262:Atenolol; D011433:Propranolol; D007501:Iron; D008790:Metoprolol