Decomposition of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Advanced Oxidation Processes

Abstract

This paper compared the removal degrees of selected contaminants of emerging concern, such as H2O2, O3, UV and UV/TiO2, in water solutions during advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The tested micropollutants belong to the following groups: pharmaceuticals, dyes, UV filters, hormones, pesticides and food additives. The highest removal rate of pharmaceutical compounds was observed during the UV/TiO2 process. The decomposition of hormones in this process exceeded 96% and the concentration of the UV filter dioxybenzone was reduced by 75%. Toxicological analysis conducted in post-processed water samples indicated the generation of several oxidation by-products with a high toxic potential.

Keywords

• AOPs
• organic micropollutants
• toxicological analysis