Study on the Degradation of the Herbicide Amicarbazone Using Advanced Oxidation Techniques Mediated by Sulfate Radicals

• Grant number: 24/22524-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Marcela Prado Silva Parizi
• Grantee: Lucas Pedrotti de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/05511-0 - STUDY OF PERSULFATE ACTIVATION BY ACTIVATED CARBON MADE FROM SUGARCANE BAGASSE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE HERBICIDE AMICARBAZONE FROM AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTS, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Sugarcane production in Brazil, especially in the state of São Paulo, positions the country as a world leader. In 2020/2021, national production reached 654.5 million tons, with São Paulo accounting for over 54% of this yield. However, high production requires intensive pesticide use, such as amicarbazone (AMZ), which has been detected in water bodies and exhibits high mobility in soil, increasing the risk of environmental contamination. The toxicity of pesticides like AMZ impacts human health and ecosystems, as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can resist conventional water treatments, requiring more effective removal methods.In this context, advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) emerge as promising alternatives, characterized by the generation of powerful radicals that promote complete pollutant degradation. Sodium persulfate (PS), in particular, activated by methods such as activated carbon and UV radiation, has proven efficient in removing pesticides like AMZ, offering more complete degradation without secondary pollutants.Studies indicate that activated carbon and UV radiation are effective methods for PS activation. The proposed research aims to compare the efficacy of PS activated by activated carbon derived from sugarcane bagasse and by UVC radiation in AMZ degradation, evaluating toxicity reduction and the efficiency of each method to determine optimal conditions for this alternative treatment of contaminated waters.