The detection of pharmaceutical compounds in the environment has concerned scientists over the recent decades, and despite low concentrations, there is uncertainty over the implications of these emerging contaminants to the health of humans and wildlife.  The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms and kinetics leading to the direct and indirect photodegradation of enoxacin, a fluoroquinolone pharmaceutical, in aqueous solution induced by UV alone, UV/H2O2, and the photo-Fenton process.   The effect of dissolved organic matter on the degradation kinetics and mechanisms of enoxacin removal was also investigated.  Furthermore, to determine whether the photoprocesses used in this study are effective at converting enoxacin to inorganic carbon, total organic carbon (TOC) measurements were carried out to assess the mineralization of enoxacin under the experimental conditions applied in the study.

Photolytic and photocatalytic processes for the removal of enoxacin from water

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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