Reservoir bottom sediments as heterogeneous catalysts for effective degradation of a selected endocrine-disrupting chemical via a Fenton-like process

The work detailed here investigated the efficiency of Fenton-like processes in degrading endocrine-disrupting chemicals, as exemplified by di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP). Specifically, a heterogeneous Fenton process was applied, as catalyzed by natural or modified bottom sediments collected from Rzeszow and Solina Reservoirs (Poland). A number of sediments with different physicochemical properties and different contents of Fe, Mn and Cu were in fact obtained and used, with modification entailing ion-exchange reaction and impregnation. It thus proved possible to demonstrate the possibility and legitimacy of Fenton's reagent being modified by natural bottom sediments that may therefore be regarded as heterogeneous catalysts, given a status as endogenous sources of iron, manganese and copper ions. While the effectiveness of DBP degradation was indeed influenced by sediment type and composition (and modification thereof), it was also affected by the factors of time, pH, DBP concentration, sediment dose and H2O2. The use of natural bottom sediments in the role of solid catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton processes represents a promising alternative to environmental remediation technology, given their abundance, low cost and environment-friendly nature.