Ionic solvent-mediated electrolytic decontamination of pesticide-containing wastewater

Abstract

This study investigated the performance of different ionic solvents (NaCl, KNO3, and Na2SO4) in mediating electrolytic decontamination of pesticide-containing wastewaters and established the most suitable ionic solvent that can satisfactorily achieve decontamination of such wastewaters. These were done to find a water-purification technique suitable for the removal of recalcitrant and hazardous trace organic substances from wastewater. Organochlorine pesticide (OCP)-containing wastewaters were constituted according to prescribed modalities. It was observed that complete decontamination of the wastewater was achieved within 2 h of using Na2SO4. The study concluded that the 1.0 M of Na2SO4 solution-mediated electrolytic process was most efficient in decontaminating OCP-containing wastewater. HIGHLIGHTS Several investigations on wastewater treatment using an electrolytic method for the removal of contaminants have been carried out, but there is paucity of information on the comparative efficiencies of ionic solvents of different strengths to affect decontamination of pesticide-containing wastewater.; Degradation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs).; Effects of ionic solution on decontamination of waste water.;

Keywords

• decontamination
• electrolytic process
• ionic solvents
• pesticides
• wastewater