Silvio Canonica is mostly known for his fundamental and groundbreaking research in aquatic photochemistry related to natural aquatic systems. However, he also contributed significantly to a better understanding of oxidative water treatment. This is mostly related to advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as the combination of UV light with hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), which can e.g., be applied to determine rate constants for radical-type reactions, including hydroxyl and carbonate radicals, with micropollutants. Silvio Canonica contributed significantly to this by determination of second-order rate constants for the reactions of radicals with many environmentally relevant contaminants. This data base is crucial for the assessment of the abatement of micropollutants in oxidative water treatment. Other important investigations assessed AOPs under realistic conditions in terms of efficiency for micropollutant oxidation, including energetic aspects and an optimized positioning of the AOPs in water treatment trains. Furthermore, the abatement and formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during the application UV-based processes was part of Silvio Canonica’s research portfolio. Finally, the role of oxidatively-induced changes in DOM for the photochemical transformation of micropollutants under natural conditions was assessed in his research.

Another side of the coin: Photochemical-based oxidation processes in water treatment

ACS Spring 2022

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