The use of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as a final treatment step to quantitatively remove remaining trace levels of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewaters is dependent upon this treatment being cost-effective. AOPs typically utilize the hydroxyl radical (●OH), generated through 254 nm photolysis of added hydrogen peroxide.  The ●OH radical is a powerful oxidant, and will non-selectively react with, and destroy, organic species in the water.  However, the presence of other chemicals in the AOP, especially wastewater matrix species, and deliberately added chemicals such as chloramines (NH<sub>x</sub>Cl<sub>y</sub>), will interfere with the AOP efficiency.  While studies on some of these interfering species (dissolved organic matter, bicarbonate/carbonate, chloramines) have recently been performed, one potential wastewater contaminant that has received much less attention is bromide.  The presence of bromide ions in wastewater is of broad concern, due to its potential for forming brominated disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and because conventional treatment processes for bromide removal is costly, and not specific.  In addition, within an AOP the oxidizing reactions of hydroxyl radicals, or chorine radical species, will initially generate bromine atoms (Br●).  These Br atoms could also react with contaminant pharmaceuticals, assisting in their overall removal, but potentially forming DBPs.  Here we report on preliminary kinetic data obtained for the reactivity of Br● with some antibiotics and nitrosamines under AOP conditions.

Reactions of bromine radical species under advanced oxidation process condition

251st National Meeting (2016)

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