Metronidazole Degradation by UV and UV/H2O2 Advanced Oxidation Processes: Kinetics, Mechanisms, and Effects of Natural Water Matrices

Advanced oxidation technology represented by hydroxyl radicals has great potential to remove residual antibiotics. In this study, we systematically compared the metronidazole (MTZ) degradation behavior and mechanism in the UV and UV/H2O2 systems at pH 3.00 condition. The results show that the initial reaction rates were 0.147 and 1.47 mu M min(-1) in the UV and UV/H2O2 systems, respectively. The main reason for the slow direct photolysis of MTZ is the relatively low molar absorption coefficient (2645.44 M-1 cm(-1)) and quantum yield (5.9 x 10(-3) mol Einstein(-1)). Then, we measured k(MTZ,center dot OH) as 2.79 (+/- 0.12) x 10(9) M-1 s(-1) by competitive kinetics, and calculated k(MTZ,center dot OH) and [(OH)-O-center dot](SS) as 2.43 (+/- 0.11) x 10(9) M-1 s(-1) and 2.36 x 10(-13) M by establishing a kinetic model based on the steady-state hypothesis in our UV/H2O2 system. The contribution of direct photolysis and (OH)-O-center dot to the MTZ degradation was 9.9% and 90.1%. (OH)-O-center dot plays a major role in the MTZ degradation, and (OH)-O-center dot was the main active material in the UV/H2O2 system. This result was also confirmed by MTZ degradation and radicals' identification experiments. MTZ degradation increases with H2O2 dosage, but excessive H2O2 had the opposite effect. A complex matrix has influence on MTZ degradation. Organic matter could inhibit the degradation of MTZ, and the quenching of the radical was the main reason. NO3- promoted the MTZ degradation, while SO42- and Cl- had no effect. These results are of fundamental and practical importance in understanding the MTZ degradation, and to help select preferred processes for the optimal removal of antibiotics in natural water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater

Automated summary

In this study, the degradation behavior and mechanism of metronidazole (MTZ) in UV and UV/H2O2 systems were compared. The results showed that hydroxyl radicals were the main active material in the UV/H2O2 system and played a major role in the degradation of MTZ. The advanced oxidation technology represented by hydroxyl radicals has great potential in removing residual antibiotics.