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Transformation of dissolved organic phosphorus to phosphate using UV/H 2 O 2
Author(s) -
Sindelar Hugo R.,
Lloyd Jacquline,
Brown Mark T.,
Boyer Treavor H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental progress and sustainable energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.495
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1944-7450
pISSN - 1944-7442
DOI - 10.1002/ep.12272
Subject(s) - phosphate , eutrophication , phosphorus , environmental chemistry , photodegradation , chemistry , environmental science , nutrient , photocatalysis , catalysis , organic chemistry
Phosphorus (P) driven eutrophication remains a problem in waterways worldwide. High P levels can significantly alter ecosystems, changing species composition and diversity. Most current P treatment technologies cannot adequately remove recalcitrant forms of P from the water column. As a result, this study evaluated the UV/H 2 O 2 advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the photodegradation of recalcitrant‐P in natural waters to biologically available phosphate, which is analogous to soluble reactive P (SRP). In turn, SRP can be removed using available P treatment technologies. The UV/H 2 O 2 AOP was tested in synthetic waters and natural water from the Florida Everglades. Results showed that the photodegradation of recalcitrant P to SRP is possible using UV fluences of at least 5.1 J/cm 2 and H 2 O 2 doses of at least 50 mg H 2 O 2 /L. The UV/H 2 O 2 AOP was able to consistently convert recalcitrant‐P to SRP in synthetic waters. However, the complex chemistry of Everglades water made consistent conversion of recalcitrant‐P to SRP hard to achieve. An increase in the efficiency of UV lights is needed to make the UV/H 2 O 2 AOP economically feasible for conversion of recalcitrant‐P to SRP in natural waters. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 680–691, 2016