Sulfaquinoxaline Oxidation and Toxicity Reduction by Photo-Fenton Process

Author(s)

Ribeiro Urbano, Vanessa ^{[1, 2]} ; Maniero, Milena Guedes ^[2] ; Guimaraes, Jose Roberto ^[2] ; del Valle, Luis J. ^{[1, 3]} ; Perez-Moya, Montserrat ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Politecn Cataluna, Chem Engn Dept, Escola Engn Barcelona Est EEBE, Av Eduard Maristany 16, Barcelona 08019 - Spain

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, FEC, UNICAMP, Sch Civil Engn Architecture & Urban Design, POB 6143, BR-13083889 Campinas - Brazil

^[3] Univ Politecn Cataluna, Barcelona Res Ctr Multiscale Sci & Engn, Escola Engn Barcelona Est EEBE, Barcelona 08019 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH; v. 18, n. 3 FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) has been detected in environmental water samples, where its side effects are still unknown. To the best of our knowledge, its oxidation by Fenton and photo-Fenton processes has not been previously reported. In this study, SQX oxidation, mineralization, and toxicity (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria) were evaluated at two different setups: laboratory bench (2 L) and pilot plant (15 L). The experimental design was used to assess the influence of the presence or absence of radiation source, as well as different H2O2 concentrations (94.1 to 261.9 mg L-1). The experimental conditions of both setups were: SQX = 25 mg L-1, Fe(II) = 10 mg L-1, pH 2.8 +/- 0.1. Fenton and photo-Fenton were suitable for SQX oxidation and experiments resulted in higher SQX mineralization than reported in the literature. For both setups, the best process was the photo-Fenton (178.0 mg L-1 H2O2), for which over 90% of SQX was removed, over 50% mineralization, and bacterial growth inhibition less than 13%. In both set-ups, the presence or absence of radiation was equally important for sulfaquinoxaline oxidation; however, the degradation rates at the pilot plant were between two to four times higher than the obtained at the laboratory bench. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/09543-7 - Residues of veterinary drugs in the environment
• Grantee: Susanne Rath
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/04656-8 - Degradation of pharmaceuticals by peroxidation combined with ultraviolet radiation and ozonation: antimicrobial activity and toxicity
• Grantee: José Roberto Guimarães
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07817-2 - Degradation of sulfonamides and tetraciclines by UV/H2O2 and O3: evaluation of antimicrobial activity and toxicity
• Grantee: Milena Guedes Maniero Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral