Models to predict sunlight-induced photodegradation rates of contaminants in wastewater stabilisation ponds and clarifiers

Abstract

Two kinetic models were established for conservative estimates of photodegradation rates of contaminants under sunlight irradiation, in particular for wastewater stabilisation ponds and clarifiers in conventional wastewater treatment plants. These two models were designated for (1) contaminants with high photolytic rates or high photolytic quantum yields, whose photodegradation is unlikely to be enhanced by aquatic photosensitisers; and (2) contaminants withstanding direct photolysis in sunlit waters but subjected to indirect photolysis. The effortlessly intelligible prediction procedure involves sampling and analysis of real water samples, simulated solar experiments in the laboratory, and transfer of the laboratory results to realise water treatment using the prediction models. Although similar models have been widely used for laboratory studies, this paper provides a preliminary example of translating laboratory results to the photochemical fate of contaminants in real waters. Keywords: Sunlight irradiation, Photodegradation, Contaminants, Stabilisation ponds, Solar water treatment