Evaluation of UV/H2O2 treatment for the oxidation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater

Fernando L. Rosario-Ortiz; Eric C. Wert; Shane A. Snyder

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2009.10.031

Evaluation of UV/H₂O₂ treatment for the oxidation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater

Fernando L. Rosario-Ortiz, Eric C. Wert, Shane A. Snyder

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

267 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advanced oxidation treatment using low pressure UV light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H₂O₂) was evaluated for the oxidation of six pharmaceuticals in three wastewater effluents. The removal of these six pharmaceuticals (meprobamate, carbamazepine, dilantin, atenolol, primidone and trimethoprim) varied between no observed removal and >90%. The role of the water quality (i.e., alkalinity, nitrite, and specifically effluent organic matter (EfOM)) on hydroxyl radical ({radical dot}OH) exposure was evaluated and used to explain the differences in pharmaceutical removal between the three wastewaters. Results indicated that the efficacy of UV/H₂O₂ treatment for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater was a function of not only the concentration of EfOM but also its inherent reactivity towards {radical dot}OH. The removal of pharmaceuticals also correlated with reductions in ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄), which offers utilities a surrogate to assess pharmaceutical removal efficiency during UV/H₂O₂ treatment.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1440-1448
Number of pages	9
Journal	Water research
Volume	44
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2009.10.031
State	Published - Mar 2010

Keywords

Advanced oxidation process (AOP)
Effluent organic matter (EfOM)
Hydrogen peroxide
Pharmaceutical removal
UV
Water reuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Water Science and Technology
Ecological Modeling
Pollution
Waste Management and Disposal
Environmental Engineering
Civil and Structural Engineering

Access to Document

10.1016/j.watres.2009.10.031

Cite this

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title = "Evaluation of UV/H2O2 treatment for the oxidation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater",

abstract = "Advanced oxidation treatment using low pressure UV light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) was evaluated for the oxidation of six pharmaceuticals in three wastewater effluents. The removal of these six pharmaceuticals (meprobamate, carbamazepine, dilantin, atenolol, primidone and trimethoprim) varied between no observed removal and >90%. The role of the water quality (i.e., alkalinity, nitrite, and specifically effluent organic matter (EfOM)) on hydroxyl radical ({radical dot}OH) exposure was evaluated and used to explain the differences in pharmaceutical removal between the three wastewaters. Results indicated that the efficacy of UV/H2O2 treatment for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater was a function of not only the concentration of EfOM but also its inherent reactivity towards {radical dot}OH. The removal of pharmaceuticals also correlated with reductions in ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), which offers utilities a surrogate to assess pharmaceutical removal efficiency during UV/H2O2 treatment.",

keywords = "Advanced oxidation process (AOP), Effluent organic matter (EfOM), Hydrogen peroxide, Pharmaceutical removal, UV, Water reuse",

author = "Rosario-Ortiz, {Fernando L.} and Wert, {Eric C.} and Snyder, {Shane A.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors gratefully acknowledge the WateReuse Foundation's financial, technical, and administrative assistance in funding and managing the project through which this information was discovered. Assistance from Seungyun Baik, Janie Holady, Brett Vanderford and Rebecca Trenholm from the Southern Nevada Water Authority Research and Development Division during sample collection and analysis is also acknowledged. The participation of the specific utilities is also acknowledged. The authors would also like to acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their contributions to improving this manuscript. ",

year = "2010",

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doi = "10.1016/j.watres.2009.10.031",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Wert, Eric C.

AU - Snyder, Shane A.

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PY - 2010/3

Y1 - 2010/3

N2 - Advanced oxidation treatment using low pressure UV light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) was evaluated for the oxidation of six pharmaceuticals in three wastewater effluents. The removal of these six pharmaceuticals (meprobamate, carbamazepine, dilantin, atenolol, primidone and trimethoprim) varied between no observed removal and >90%. The role of the water quality (i.e., alkalinity, nitrite, and specifically effluent organic matter (EfOM)) on hydroxyl radical ({radical dot}OH) exposure was evaluated and used to explain the differences in pharmaceutical removal between the three wastewaters. Results indicated that the efficacy of UV/H2O2 treatment for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater was a function of not only the concentration of EfOM but also its inherent reactivity towards {radical dot}OH. The removal of pharmaceuticals also correlated with reductions in ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), which offers utilities a surrogate to assess pharmaceutical removal efficiency during UV/H2O2 treatment.

AB - Advanced oxidation treatment using low pressure UV light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) was evaluated for the oxidation of six pharmaceuticals in three wastewater effluents. The removal of these six pharmaceuticals (meprobamate, carbamazepine, dilantin, atenolol, primidone and trimethoprim) varied between no observed removal and >90%. The role of the water quality (i.e., alkalinity, nitrite, and specifically effluent organic matter (EfOM)) on hydroxyl radical ({radical dot}OH) exposure was evaluated and used to explain the differences in pharmaceutical removal between the three wastewaters. Results indicated that the efficacy of UV/H2O2 treatment for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater was a function of not only the concentration of EfOM but also its inherent reactivity towards {radical dot}OH. The removal of pharmaceuticals also correlated with reductions in ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), which offers utilities a surrogate to assess pharmaceutical removal efficiency during UV/H2O2 treatment.

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