In this paper, we present case studies of oxidative transformations of
contaminants by oxidants which are relevant in natural and in technic
al systems. These oxidants are reactive oxygen species (ROS), manganes
e(III,IV), iron(III), and molecular dioxygen (O-2). Regarding ROS, we
discuss i) their concentrations and their efficiencies as oxidants in
natural waters and in water treatment, ii) reactions occurring in brom
ide-containing waters in the presence of ROS, iii) role of iron in the
formation of ROS, and iv) quantitative structure-activity relationshi
ps (QSAR) of reactions of ROS with contaminants. Concerning Mn-III and
Mn-IV as oxidants, we present experimental studies on the oxidation o
f anilines by delta-MnO2. With respect to oxidative transformation of
the hydrophilic organic contaminants ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA
) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA), we show that these organic complexing a
gents are efficiently oxidized by Fe-III and O-2, respectively, if cat
alyzed by light (for the oxidation of EDTA by Fe-III) and by enzymes (
for the oxidation of NTA by O-2).