Ammonium changes the pathway of tetrabromobisphenol S degradation by sulfate radical oxidation

Sulfate radical (SO4 center dot-)-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) show great potential in the elimination of organic pollutants in wastewater treatment and groundwater remediation. Tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) as an emerging contaminant can be effectively degraded in SR-AOPs. However, the present study found that SO4 center dot- also reacted with ammonium (NH4+), a ubiquitous inorganic nitrogen species in aquatic environments, thus markedly affected the rates and pathways of TBBPS degradation in SR-AOPs. TBBPS underwent beta-scission and debromination upon SO4 center dot- attack, leading to various transformation products. The released bromide (Br-) underwent further oxidation by SO4 center dot- to form free bromine which reacted with certain TBBPS intermediates, generating disinfection byproducts (DBPs). When NH4+ was present in such system, the abatement of TBBPS was apparently suppressed. Meanwhile, NH4+ was oxidized by SO4 center dot- to nitrogen dioxide radical (NO2 center dot) which coupled with certain radical intermediates of TBBPS oxidation, yielding nitrophenolic products including 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol (DBNP) and mono-nitro substituted TBBPS. When 10 mu M TBBPS was treated by heat activated peroxydisulfate with 1 mM NH4+, the molar yield of DBNP reached 22% in 2 h. More importantly, NH4+ scavenged the in situ formed free bromine to form monobromamine (NH2Br), decreasing regulated DBPs formation but leading to highly toxic dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN). This study broadens the understanding of interactions between the transformation of halogens and NH4+ during SO4 center dot- oxidation. It also reveals the potential environmental risks when SR-AOPs are employed for the organohalogen pollutants degradation in realistic environments where NH4+ is present.

Automated summary

Sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) have the potential to effectively degrade emerging contaminant tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS). However, this study found that sulfate radicals also react with ammonium, leading to the suppression of TBBPS degradation. The presence of ammonium changes the pathways and products of TBBPS degradation in SR-AOPs.