Comparative study of the oxidation of atrazine and acetone by H2O2/UV, Fe(III)/UV, Fe(III)/H2O2/UV and Fe(II) or Fe(III)/H2O2

In this study, the rates of degradation of organic compounds by several AOP s (H2O2/UV, Fe(III)/UV, Fe(III)/H2O2/UV, Fe(II)/H2O2 and Fe(III)/H2O2) have been compared. Experiments were carried out at pH approximate to 3 (perchl oric acid / sodium perchlorate solutions) and with UV reactors equipped wit h a low-pressure mercury vapour lamp (emission at 253.7 nm). The data obtai ned with atrazine ([Atrazine](O) = 100 mu g/L) showed that the rate of degr adation of atrazine in very dilute aqueous solution is much more rapid with Fe(III)/UV than with H2O2/UV. Photo-Fenton process (Fe(III)/H2O2/UV) was f ound to be more efficient than H2O2/UV and Fe(II)/H2O2 for the mineralizati on of acetone ([Acetone](O) = I mM). (C)1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.