title: Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous environment by chemical treatments: a review.
abstract: Due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential, the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous environment using physical, biological and chemical processes has been studied by several researchers. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge concerning PAHs including their physico-chemical properties, input sources, occurrence, adverse effects and conventional and alternative chemical processes applied for their removal from water. The mechanisms and reactions involved in each treatment method are reported, and the effects of various variables on the PAH degradation rate as well as the extent of degradation are also discussed. Extensive literature analysis has shown that an effective way to perform the conversion and mineralization of this type of substances is the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Furthermore, combined processes, particularly AOPs coupled with biological treatments, seem to be one of the best solutions for the treatment of effluents containing PAHs.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Diagnóstico y Control de la Contaminación - GDCON, Facultad de Ingeniería, Sede de Investigaciones Universitarias (SIU), Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70, No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Ainhoa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubio-Clemente
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Remediación Ambiental y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70, No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia. Electronic address: rtorres@matematicas.udea.edu.co.
authors.forename: Ricardo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Torres-Palma
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Diagnóstico y Control de la Contaminación - GDCON, Facultad de Ingeniería, Sede de Investigaciones Universitarias (SIU), Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70, No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Gustavo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Peñuela
mesh_terms: D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Advanced oxidation process; Ozonation; Photolysis; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; Wastewater treatment