Efficient removal of endosulfan from aqueous solution by UV-C/peroxides: A comparative study

Noor S. Shah, Xuexiang He, Hasan M. Khan, Javed Ali Khan, Kevin E. O'Shea, Dominic L. Boccelli, Dionysios D. Dionysiou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

228 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explored the efficiency of UV-C-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), i.e., UV/S2O82-, UV/HSO5-, and UV/H2O2 for the degradation of endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide and an emerging water pollutant. A significant removal, 91%, 86%, and 64%, of endosulfan, at an initial concentration of 2.45μM and UV fluence of 480mJ/cm2, was achieved by UV/S2O82-, UV/HSO5-, and UV/H2O2 processes, respectively, at a [peroxide]0/[endosulfan]0 molar ratio of 20. The efficiency of these processes was, however, inhibited in the presence of radical scavengers, such as alcohols (e.g., tertiary butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol) and natural organic matter (NOM). The inhibition was also influenced by common inorganic anions in the order of nitrite>bicarbonate>chloride>nitrate≃sulfate. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constant decreased while the degradation rate increased with increasing initial concentration of the target contaminant. The degradation mechanism of endosulfan by the AOPs was evaluated revealing the main by-product as endosulfan ether. Results of this study suggest that UV-C-based AOPs are potential methods for the removal of pesticides, such as endosulfan and its by-products, from contaminated water.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)584-592
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
Volume263
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Advanced Oxidation Technologies (AOTs)
  • Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
  • Endosulfan
  • Peroxides
  • UV-C
  • Water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficient removal of endosulfan from aqueous solution by UV-C/peroxides: A comparative study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this