Underlying mechanisms of promoted formation of haloacetic acids disinfection byproducts after indometacin degradation by non-thermal discharge plasma. (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yue; Li, Hu; Wang, Ruigang; Hu, Qian; Zhang, Ying; Wang, Zhanhui; Zhou, Jian; Qu, Guangzhou; Wang, Tiecheng; Jia, Hanzhong; Zhu, Lingyan
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 220(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: Indometacin degradation -- Non-thermal discharge plasma -- Disinfection byproducts -- Halocetic acids formation; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Highlights: Degradation of indometacin by plasma oxidation and DBPs formation were assessed. OH, O2 −, and 1 O2 in the plasma were responsible for indometacin decomposition. Possible decomposition pathways of indometacin by plasma oxidation were proposed. Formation and toxicity of HAAs rose after degradation, but decreased for N-DBPs. Relevant roadmaps among DBPs and degradation intermediates were figured out. Abstract: Indometacin (IDM), as a kind of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has ecological and health risks, which is the potential precursor of chlorination disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Non-thermal discharge plasma was attempted to eliminate IDM and control subsequent DBPs formation. Satisfactory removal performance for IDM was realized by the plasma oxidation; almost 100% of IDM was removed within 2 min. Relatively greater removal efficiency was gained at a higher plasma voltage and a lower pH level. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer revealed that reactive species ·OH, O2 · −, and 1 O2 were responsible for IDM decomposition. Based on analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, attacks of reactive species resulted in sequence breakages in functional groups of IDM, leading to production of small molecular alcohols, acids, and amines. Possible decomposition pathways of IDM were proposed. The produced acetamide and 1H-indol-5-ol were important precursors of DBPs. Formation and toxicity of nitrogen-containing DBPs were dramatically inhibited after IDM degradation; however, those of haloacetic acids were strengthened. The relevant roadmaps among DBPs and degradation intermediates were figured out. This study revealed the underlying mechanisms of IDM degradation by discharge plasma and its potential risks in chlorination disinfection. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract