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Zero‐valent iron mediated degradation of sertraline – effect of H 2 O 2 addition and application to sewage treatment plant effluent
Author(s) -
de Lima Perini João Angelo,
Fernandes Pupo Nogueira Raquel
Publication year - 2016
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.4705
Subject(s) - zerovalent iron , effluent , degradation (telecommunications) , chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , environmental chemistry , nuclear chemistry , adsorption , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , environmental science , telecommunications , computer science , nitrogen
BACKGROUND Sertraline ( SER ) is a widely used antidepressant persistent in sewage treatment plant ( STP ) effluents. Zero‐valent iron ( ZVI ) has been studied for degradation of organic contaminants. However, it usually results in poor mineralization efficiency. The effect of H 2 O 2 on ZVI mediated degradation of SER was studied and compared with sole ZVI and the homogeneous Fenton process. RESULTS The effect of ZVI dose on SER degradation was different with 20 and 200 mesh particle sizes. The degradation rate was improved as the dose of larger particle (20 mesh) was increased, while no significant variation was observed with smaller particle (200 mesh). The SER degradation was hindered by the high Fe 2+ / H 2 O 2 ratio as well as the sharp increase of pH when high ZVI doses or small particles were used. The addition of H 2 O 2 (5 mmol L −1 ) to the ZVI system greatly improved SER degradation and mineralization even at low ZVI dose (0.5 g L −1 ). SER could be efficiently degraded in a STP effluent mediated by ZVI (20 mesh), especially when H 2 O 2 was employed. CONCLUSIONS The potential of the ZVI / H 2 O 2 process for degradation of SER in effluents from an STP was demonstrated, showing a significant improvement of target contaminant degradation and dissolved organic carbon ( DOC ) removal. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry