Endocrine disrupting chemicals are important environmental contaminants of concern since they interfere with the endocrine system function of humans and wildlife by inducing adverse effects on reproduction and on development cycles. This study investigates the photodegradation of estrogens including estrone, 17�-estradiol, 17a-ethynylestradiol and estriol by photolysis (UVA; UVC), photocatalysis (UVA-TiO2; UVC-TiO2), UVC-H2O2 and immobilized photo-Fenton (iron immobilized on poly-dimethylsiloxane modified Nafion/silica composite). The photodegradation kinetic constants independent of photon absorption were determined. UVC photolysis was twice as effective as UVA and estrone degraded very rapidly. The quantum yields (moles of estrogens degraded per Einstein of photons absorbed) under UVC-TiO2 photocatalysis were double the yields under UVA-TiO2 photocatalysis. The presence of iron through the use of the supported catalyst led to rapid degradation of estrone compared to homogenoeus photodegradation by the H2O2-UVC system. Advanced oxidation processes were proved to be feasible methods to degrade estrogens and other chemicals from water resources.

Photodegradation of natural and synthetic estrogens: Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and estriol (E3) by advanced oxidation processes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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