Optimization of total petroleum hydrocarbons removal from Mahshahr contaminated soil using magnetite nanoparticle catalyzed Fenton-like oxidation

This study investigates the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from Mahshahr contaminated soil by Fenton-like oxidation. Magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) was applied as catalyst in the oxidation process to improve the hydroxyl radicals (OH degrees) production and, consequently, the removal of TPH from the samples. Response surface methodology with center composite design (CCD) was used to optimize performance of the treatment process. Various molar ratios of H2O2-MNP were calculated by CCD and then added to the contaminated samples at acidic pH (pH 3) and under laboratory conditions. The quadratic model describing TPH removal efficiency of Fenton-like was developed and validated by analysis of variances (ANOVA), correspondingly. The analysis results illustrated that the optimum condition of treatment was obtained using H2O2: MNP molar ratio of 17.5:1, leading to removal of 74.20% of TPH from the contaminated soil slurries. According to the results, the use of MNP catalyst and optimal molar ratio of H2O2-MNP had dominant roles in the increased oxidation of TPH from the slurries.