A novel heterogeneous catalytic system (AC/ZVI/CaO2) promotes simultaneous removal of phosphate and sulfamethazine: Performance, mechanism and application feasibility verification. (15th June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Lei; Wu, Danni; Jiang, Tao; Yin, Ying; Du, Wenchao; Chen, Xiaohui; Sun, Yuanyuan; Wu, Jichun; Guo, Hongyan
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 237(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-15
• Subjects: Rural non-point source pollution -- Phosphate -- Sulfamethazine -- Heterogeneous catalytic system -- Low-impact development; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119977
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Highlights: AC/ZVI/CaO2 simultaneously removed P/SMZ under various environmental conditions. The formation of Ca-P and Fe-P species mainly contributed to P removal. ROS (·OH/ 1 O2 ) formed by the AC catalysis and Fenton reaction could degrade SMZ. ZVI-AC micro-electrolysis promoted Fenton reaction for SMZ degradation at low pH. The low-impact development system was built to verify application feasibility. Abstract: The eutrophication and pharmaceutical residue are the key issues to the treatment of rural non-point source pollution, concerning risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, a novel activated carbon/zero-valent iron/calcium peroxide (AC/ZVI/CaO2 ) catalytic system was constructed to remove simultaneously typical rural non-point source pollutants: phosphate and sulfamethazine (SMZ). The optimal mass ratio of the system was determined as 20% AC, 48% ZVI and 32% CaO2 . It was shown that the removal efficiency of phosphorus (P) and SMZ exceeded 65% and 40% in pH 2–11, respectively. It worked well in the presence of typical anions and humic acid. The mechanistic analyses for P removal indicated that AC/ZVI/CaO2 system can effectively load P by the formation of crystalline state Ca-P species and Fe-P/Ca-P amorphous state coprecipitates under neutral and acidic conditions, respectively. The presence of AC in AC/ZVI/CaO2 system could form iron-carbon micro-electrolysis process for accelerating Fenton reaction in acidic environment. And AC also can produce reactive oxygen species for the SMZ degradation by relying on persistent free radicals/graphitic carbon catalysis under environmental condition. In addition, we developed a low-impact development stormwater filter for application feasibility verification of the system. Feasibility analysis showed that the system could save up to ∼50% cost in contrast with the price of Phoslock (a commercial P load product) and presented advantages of non-toxicity, long-acting, stability and the potential to promote biodegradation by provision of aerobic environment. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract