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Microalgae‐promoted photodegradation of two endocrine disrupters in aqueous solutions
Author(s) -
Ge Liyun,
Deng Huanhuan,
Wu Feng,
Deng Nansheng
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2043
Subject(s) - photodegradation , singlet oxygen , radical , chemistry , aqueous solution , environmental chemistry , oxygen , wastewater , algae , reactive oxygen species , photochemistry , nuclear chemistry , photocatalysis , catalysis , botany , organic chemistry , environmental engineering , biology , biochemistry , engineering
BACKGROUND: Photodegradation is one method to remove the organic pollutants in wastewater. The photodegradation of 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2) and 17β‐ estradiol (E2) was investigated using freshwater algae suspended in aqueous solutions under a high‐pressure mercury lamp (250 W). Three algal species were used: Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Anabaena cylindrica (AC) and Microcytis aeruginosa kutz (MA). Reactions were carried out under aerobic conditions. RESULTS: The three algal species are capable of promoting the photodegradation of EE2 and E2. For example, in the A. cylindrica suspensions, with cell density ranging from 7.0 × 10 5 cells mL −1 to 8.4 × 10 6 cells mL −1 , the photodegradation rate of EE2 was increased from 14% to 28%. Reactive oxygen species were thought to be the main reason for the degradation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen photogenerated in the algal suspensions were detected. About 4 µmol L −1 hydroxyl radicals were generated in the 4 h reaction. CONCLUSION: Oxidative photodegradation of a solution of endocrine disrupters promoted by algae leads to noticeable decrease in the toxicity of the solution. Oxygen plays an important role in the formation of reactive oxygen species in the algal suspensions. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry