title: Degradation of the commercial surfactant nonylphenol ethoxylate by advanced oxidation processes.
abstract: Four different oxidation process, namely direct photolysis (DP) and three advanced oxidation processes (heterogeneous photocatalysis - HP, eletrochemical oxidation - EO and photo-assisted electrochemical oxidation - PEO) were applied in the treatment of wastewater containing nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPnEO). The objective of this work was to determine which treatment would be the best option in terms of degradation of NPnEO without the subsequent generation of toxic compounds. In order to investigate the degradation of the surfactant, the processes were compared in terms of UV/Vis spectrum, mineralization (total organic carbon), reaction kinetics, energy efficiency and phytotoxicity. A solution containing NPnEO was prepared as a surrogate of the degreasing wastewater, was used in the processes. The results showed that the photo-assisted processes degrade the surfactant, producing biodegradable intermediates in the reaction. On the other hand, the electrochemical process influences the mineralization of the surfactant. The process of PEO carried out with a 250W lamp and a current density of 10mA/cm(2) showed the best results in terms of degradation, mineralization, reaction kinetics and energy consumption, in addition to not presenting phytotoxicity. Based on this information, this process can be a viable alternative for treating wastewater containing NPnEO, avoiding the contamination of water resources.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Minas, Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PPGEM), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: salatielws@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Salatiel Wohlmuth
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Feevale, Campus II ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: claudiark@feevale.br.
authors.forename: Cláudia Regina
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Klauck
authors.affiliation: Universidade Feevale, Campus II ERS-239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: marcor@feevale.br.
authors.forename: Marco Antônio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Minas, Metalúrgica e de Materiais (PPGEM), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: amb@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Andréa Moura
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bernardes
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004563:Electrochemistry; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D019697:Onions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010782:Photolysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C021754:terics; D002244:Carbon
keywords: Advanced oxidation process; Emerging organic pollutants; Nonylphenol ethoxylate