Theoretical insights into the degradation of tyrosol stimulated by hydroxyl and sulfate radicals in wastewater and ecotoxicity evaluation

The photochemical degradation of tyrosol (TY) in wastewater was investigated by theoretical method. The highly oxidative radicals (center dot OH and SO4 center dot-) were employed to study the TY transformation behaviors and kinetic properties. The center dot OH-addition and H-abstraction reaction mechanisms were predominant for center dot OH and SO4 center dot--initiated reactions, respectively. The rate constants of TY + center dot OH and TY + SO4 center dot- systems were determined as 9.15 x 10(9) M-1 s(-1 )and 3.14 x 10(10) M-1 s(-1) at 298 K. The generated SO4 center dot- from advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) showed good performance for TY degradation in liquid phase. The direct photolysis was also considered in the excited state in order to reveal the photo-excited reaction mechanism. Due to high endothermicity and energy barrier, direct photolysis is difficult to proceed spontaneously compared to indirect photochemical processes initiated by strong oxidative radicals. Halflife values of TY with center dot OH reactions demonstrated that the high concentration of free radicals would significantly shorten the exposure time of TY in water environment. The results of the ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms suggested TY degradation was a mainly less harmful process. However, hydroxylation product P7 (hydroquinone) was a potential developmental toxicant with greater aquatic toxicity than TY, which was an exception to deserve more concern in environment. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that highly oxidative radicals have a significant impact on the photochemical degradation of tyrosol in wastewater, especially the generation of SO4 center dot-. The degradation of tyrosol is mainly influenced by H-abstraction reactions and OH-radical addition, although the degradation product P7 may pose greater harm to aquatic organisms.