Electrochemical destruction of p-chlorophenol and p-nitrophenol -- Influence of surfactants and anode materials

The electrochemical oxidative removal of p-chlorophenol and p-nitrophenol was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and constant current electrolysis on commercially available graphite and titanium substrate insoluble anodes (TSIA). The effect of cationic cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and non-ionic polyoxyethylene(23)lauryl ether (Brij-35) surfactants, which prevent adherent film formation on the electrode surface were also studied. CV experiments indicate that p-chlorophenol exhibits a relatively higher tendency for film formation on graphite and that sodium chloride is a better medium for the destruction of phenols. The electrochemical oxidation of phenols under galvanostatic conditions in chloride medium with CTAB enhanced the detoxification process with significantly lower fouling effects on TSIA. The surfactants, however, did not improve phenol removal on graphite under identical experimental conditions. A charge of 2.5F per mol was found to be sufficient to achieve 44-48% removal of phenol on both the electrodes in the absence of the surfactants. A 55-65% removal was achieved in the presence of the cationic surfactant on the TSIA electrode. Phenol was removed as a low molecular weight polymer (MW approximately 4450).     

Simultaneous recovery of copper and degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in aqueous systems by a combination of electrolytic and photolytic processes

In mixed industrial effluent the presence of metal ions can retard the destruction of organic contaminants and the efficiency of recovery of the metal is reduced by the presence of the organic species. Results are presented for copper-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) system in which both effects occur. An electrochemical cell alone can be used to recover copper in the pH range 1.5-4.5 but it is not capable of achieving complete disappearance of 2,4-D by anodic oxidation. A photolytic cell alone can achieve the destruction of 2,4-D at pH 3.5 but leaves copper in solution. A combined photolytic-electrochemical system using an activated carbon concentrator cathode achieves the rapid simultaneous destruction of 2,4-D and recovery of copper. Results are presented for the recovery of more than 90% copper from, and >99.9%, destruction of the organochlorine compound 2,4-D in, a solution containing 100 mg dm(-3) copper and 50 mg dm(-3) 2.4-D. The photolytic degradation of 2,4-D depends on the intensity of the UV-probe. Only 19% degradation is achieved after 8 h with the 150 W UV-probe but the corresponding value with the 400 W UV-probe is 100%. In the case of 150 W UV-probe the degradation of 2,4-D proceeds through the formation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and phenol. The concentration of these intermediates are very low in the case of 400 W UV-probe because the speed of the degradation of 2,4-D is very fast. The addition of TiO2 (1 g dm(-3)), as a semiconductor material, and H202 (1.5 g dm(-3)) as an oxidant, increases the photolytic degradation of 2,4-D.     

Uptake and transformation of phenol and chlorophenols by hairy root cultures of Daucus carota, Ipomoea batatas and Solanum aviculare

Hairy root cultures of Daucus carota L., Ipomoea batatas L. and Solanum aviculare Forst were investigated for their susceptibility to the highly toxic pollutants phenol and chlorophenols and for the involvement of inherent peroxidases in the removal of phenols from liquid media. Roots of D. carota grew normally in medium containing 1000 micromol l(-1) of phenol, whilst normal growth of roots of I. batatas and S. aviculare was only possible at levels up to 500 micromol l(-1). In the presence of chlorophenols, normal root growth was possible only in concentrations not exceeding 50 micromol l(-1), except for I. batatas which was severely affected at all concentrations. Despite the reduction in biomass, the growth of S. aviculare cultures was sustained in medium containing up to 2000 micromol l(-1) of phenol or 2-chlorophenol, and up to 500 micromol l(-1) of 2,6-dichlorophenol. The amounts of phenol removed by the roots within 72 h of treatment were 72.7%, 90.7% and 98.6% of the initial concentration for D. carota, I. batatas and S. aviculare, respectively. For the removal of 2,6-dichlorophenol the values were, respectively, 83.0%, 57.7% and 73.1%. Phenols labelled with 14C were absorbed by the root tissues and condensed with highly polar cellular substances as well as being incorporated into the cell walls or membranes. The results suggest that S. aviculare, an ornamental plant, would be best suited for remediation trials under field conditions.     

Surface-mediated formation of PBDD/Fs from the high-temperature oxidation of 2-bromophenol on a CuO/silica surface

As a model brominated hydrocarbon that may form brominated dioxins, we studied the surface-mediated, oxidative thermal degradation of 2-bromophenol on a supported copper oxide catalyst in a 1 mm i.d., fused silica flow reactor at a constant concentration of 90 ppm over a temperature range from 250 to 550 degrees C. Observed products included: dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD), 1-monobromodibenzo-p-dioxin (1-MBDD), dibromodibenzo-p-dioxin (DBDD), tribromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TrBDD), 4-monobromodibenzofuran (4-MBDF), 2,4,6-tribromophenol, 2,4- and 2,6-dibromophenol, and polybrominated benzenes. The results are compared and contrasted with previous work on surface catalyzed oxidative thermal degradation of 2-chlorophenol as well as our own work with the surface-catalyzed pyrolytic thermal degradation of 2-bromophenol. Typically 20 to 200x higher yields of PBDDs are observed for 2-bromophenol than for the analogous PCDDs for 2-chlorophenol. However the anticipated PBDF, 4,6-DBDF, was not observed and 4-MBDF was observed at very low yields. Surprisingly, the maximum yields of PBDDs were observed at higher temperatures than under pyrolytic conditions. This is attributed to regeneration of the catalytic surface due to the presence of oxygen. Higher yields of polybrominated phenols and polybrominated benzenes were also observed than for the analogous chlorinated phenols and benzenes from the oxidation of 2-chlorophenol. This can be attributed to the ease of bromination over chlorination based on the higher abundance of bromine atoms present for 2-bromophenol than chlorine atoms present for 2-chlorophenol.     

Adsorption of phenols by papermill sludges

In this paper we studied the sorption capacity of paper mill sludges for phenols. Phenol, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 3-chlorophenol 3-CP). 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2.4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 3,4-dichlorophenol (3,4-DCP) 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) were chosen for the sorption tests. Kinetic experiments showed that substituted-phenol sorption on papermill sludge was rapid (equilibrium was reached after 3 h); conversely, the time taken by the phenol to reach equilibrium conditions was 260 h. Experimental data showed that particle diffusion was involved in the sorption process but was not the only rate-limiting mechanism; several other mechanisms were involved. The adsorption isotherms showed the following order of retention capacity of papermill sludge: 2-NP = 4-NP < < 2-CP < phenol < 4-CP < or = 3-CP < 2,4 DCP<3,4 DCP=2,4,5 TCP<3,5 DCP. In all cases the experimental data showed a good fit with the Hill equation. which is mathemratically equivalent to the Langmuir-Freundlich model obtained by assuming that the surface is homogeneous, and that the adsorption is a cooperative process influenced by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions.     

Biodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in the presence of primary substrate by immobilized pure culture bacteria

In this study, pure strains that are capable of utilizing 2,4,6-trichlorophenol have been isolated from the mixed culture grown on substrates containing chlorophenolic compounds. Studies have been carried out on the capability of these isolated pure strains in suspended and immobilized forms to decompose 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Additionally, the influence of primary substrates (e.g., phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol) on the decomposition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by the isolated pure strains grown in immobilized form is also investigated. The results are: Through bacterial isolation and identification, three pure strains have been obtained: Pseudomonas spp. strain 01, Pseudomonas spp. strain 02 and Agrobacterium spp. Whether in suspended or immobilized forms, all strains have poor removal efficiencies of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. However, addition of 200 mg/l phenol will enable the immobilized Pseudomonas spp. strain 01, and Pseudomonas spp. strain 02 to achieve 65% and 48% removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, respectively. Addition of phenol will assist the immobilized Pseudomonas spp. strain 02 in achieving removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol but the removal efficiency is not good if the phenol concentration is too low. The optimum phenol concentration should be between 200 and 400 mg/l.     

The influence of pH on the degradation of phenol and chlorophenols by potassium ferrate

This paper presents information concerning the influence of solution pH on the aqueous reaction between potassium ferrate and phenol and three chlorinated phenols: 4-chlorophenol (CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP). The redox potential and aqueous stability of the ferrate ion, and the reactivity of dissociating compounds, are known to be pH dependent. Laboratory tests have been undertaken over a wide range of pH (5.8-11) and reactant concentrations (ferrate:compound molar ratios of 1:1 to 8:1). The reactivity of trichloroethylene was also investigated as a reference compound owing to its non-dissociating nature. The extent of compound degradation by ferrate was found to be highly pH dependent, and the optimal pH (maximum degradation) decreased in the order: phenol/CP, DCP, TCP; at the optimal pH the degree of degradation of these compounds was similar. The results indicate that for the group of phenol and chlorophenols studied, the presence of an increasing number of chlorine substituent atoms corresponds to an increasing reactivity of the undissociated compound, and a decreasing reactivity of the dissociated compound.     

Acute oral toxicity and liver oxidant/antioxidant stress of halogenated benzene, phenol, and diphenyl ether in mice: a comparative and mechanism exploration

The lethal doses (LD₅₀s) of fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated benzene, phenol, and diphenyl ether in mice were ascertained respectively under the consistent condition. The acute toxicity of four benzenes orders in fluorobenzene (FB)?<?iodobenzene?<?chlorobenzene≈bromobenzene, that of four phenols orders in 4-iodophenol≈4-bromophenol?<?4-chlorophenol (4-MCP)?<?4-fluorophenol (4-MFP), and that of four diphenyl ethers orders in 4,4′-iododiphenyl ether?<?4,4′-difluorodiphenyl ether?<?4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl ether≈4,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether. General behavior adverse effects were observed, and poisoned mouse were dissected to observe visceral lesions. FB, 4-MCP, and 4-MFP produced toxic faster than other halogenated benzenes and phenols, as they had lower octanol–water partition coefficients. Pathological changes in liver and liver/kidney weight changes were also observed. Hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and malondialdehyde level were tested after a 28-day exposure, which reflects a toxicity order basically consistent with that reflected by the LD₅₀s. By theoretical calculation and building models, the toxicity of benzene, phenol, and diphenyl ether were influenced by different structural properties.     

Isolation and characterization of a Rhodococcus strain with phenol-degrading ability and its potential use for tannery effluent biotreatment

Introduction

Wastewater derived from leather production may contain phenols, which are highly toxic, and their degradation could be possible through bioremediation technologies.

Materials, methods and results

In the present work, microbial degradation of phenol was studied using a tolerant bacterial strain, named CS1, isolated from tannery sediments. This strain was able to survive in the presence of phenol at concentrations of up to 1,000?mg/L. On the basis of morphological and biochemical properties, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Rhodococcus sp. Phenol removal was evaluated at a lab-scale in Erlenmeyer flasks and at a bioreactor scale in a stirred tank reactor. Rhodococcus sp. CS1 was able to completely remove phenol in a range of 200 to 1,000?mg/L in mineral medium at 30 ± 2?°C and pH 7 as optimal conditions. In the stirred tank bioreactor, we studied the effect of some parameters, such as agitation (200?C600 rpm) and aeration (1?C3?vvm), on growth and phenol removal efficiency. Faster phenol biodegradation was obtained in the bioreactor than in Erlenmeyer flasks, and maximum phenol removal was achieved at 400?rpm and 1 vvm in only 12?h. Furthermore, Rhodococcus sp. CS1 strain was able to grow and completely degrade phenols from tannery effluents after 9?h of incubation.

Conclusion

Based on these results, Rhodococcus sp. CS1 could be an appropriate microorganism for bioremediation of tannery effluents or other phenol-containing wastewaters.     

Removal of 2-chlorophenol from water using rice-straw derived ash

Removal of 2-chlorophenol from water using rice-straw derived ash (RSDA) was evaluated in this study to compare with commercial activated carbon. RSDA was obtained by burning rice-straw at 400 °C and 700 °C for 1 h. This ash can provide a better adsorbent for 2-chlorophenol. The adsorption capacities of RSDA at 400 °C and 700 °C are 37 and 52 mg g?1 at pH 4, respectively, and decrease to 9.0 and 40 mg g?1 at pH 10. Adsorption of either neutral or anionic 2-cholorphenol by the RSDA are shown as L-shaped nonlinear isotherms, suggesting surface adsorption rather than partitioning is occurring. At higher-burning temperatures, the surface area, porosity, point of zero charge and aromaticity of the resultant RSDA increase, but the oxygen content and surface acidity decrease. The combined effects result in a higher 2-chlorophenol adsorption of RSDA at 700 °C, which shows a slight pH effect on the adsorption of 2-chlorophenol, due to the lower content of oxygen-containing functional groups. Oxygen-containing functional groups contribute to surface acidity and H-bonding sites for adsorbed water, which compromises the interaction between 2-chlorophenol and the adsorbents. Thus, it suggests that rice-straw derived carbon (RSDC) can be used as an effective low-cost substitute material for activated carbon for removal of chlorophenols from wastewater.     

Investigation of the generation of hydroxyl radicals and their oxidative role in the presence of heterogeneous copper catalysts

The presence and impact of hydroxyl radicals generated via the catalytic decomposition of H(2)O(2) over heterogeneous copper catalysts were investigated by using two detection methods, an electron spin resonance-spin trapping method and a chemical probe method. Detection of the (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide)-OH adduct signal and formation of 4-chlorocatechol during the oxidation of a 4-chlorophenol substrate demonstrated that the three heterogeneous copper catalysts employed here (CuO, Cu/Al(2)O(3) and CuO.ZnO/Al(2)O(3)) were capable of generating hydroxyl radicals in combination with H(2)O(2). The oxidative mechanism of the hydroxyl radical in the presence of heterogeneous copper catalysts is discussed with regard to the further oxidation of the (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide)-OH adduct and hydroxylated products of 4-chlorophenol oxidation. Interestingly, integration of the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide-OH adduct signal could not be used to reliably measure the total amount of hydroxyl radicals generated as a result of oxidative attack on the adduct. This may be as a result of locally higher hydroxyl radical concentrations in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst leading to further unwanted oxidation of the (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide)-OH.     

Potential applications of immobilized bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) peroxidase in the removal of phenols from polluted water

The potential applications of immobilized bitter gourd peroxidase in the treatment of model wastewater contaminated with phenols have been investigated. The synthetic water was treated with soluble and immobilized enzyme preparations under various experimental conditions. Maximum removal of phenols was found in the buffers of pH values 5.0-6.0 and at 40 degrees C in the presence of 0.75 mM H(2)O(2). Fourteen different phenols were independently treated with soluble and immobilized bitter gourd peroxidase in the buffer of pH 5.6 at 37 degrees C. Chlorinated phenols and native phenol were significantly removed while other substituted phenols were marginally removed by the treatment. Phloroglucinol and pyrogallol were recalcitrant to the action of bitter gourd peroxidase. Immobilized bitter gourd peroxidase preparation was capable of removing remarkably high percentage of phenols from the phenolic mixtures. Significantly higher level of total organic carbon was removed from the model wastewater containing individual phenol or complex mixture of phenols by immobilized bitter gourd peroxidase as compared to the soluble enzyme. 2,4-dichlorophenol and a phenolic mixture were also treated in a stirred batch reactor with fixed quantity of enzyme for longer duration. The soluble bitter gourd peroxidase ceased to function after 3h while the immobilized enzyme was active even after 6h of incubation with phenolic solutions.     

Metal-mediated chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (CDD) and dibenzofuran (CDF) formation from phenols

Heterogeneous formation of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and dibenzofurans (CDFs) on CuCl2 from three phenols without ortho chlorine and one phenol with two ortho chlorines was studied in a flow reactor over a temperature range of 325-450 degrees C. Heated nitrogen gas streams containing 8% oxygen, 1.5% benzene vapor, and equal amounts of phenol, 3-chlorophenol, 3,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol vapor (700 ppmv, each) were passed through a 1 g particle bed of silica and 0.5% (Cu mass) CuCl2. Maximum product yields of greater than 1.4% phenol conversion to CDD and 5.7% phenol conversion to CDF were observed between 400 and 450 degrees C. CDDs formed with loss of one chlorine atom were favored. While total CDD/F yield varied with temperature, CDD/F homologue and isomer distributions did not vary significantly with temperature. Based on the results of experiments with single phenol precursors, phenol precursors could be assigned to all PCDD/F products. Of the chlorinated phenols without ortho chlorine that were studied, 3,4-dichlorophenol was found to have the greatest propensity to form CDFs.     

Removal of phenols from water accompanied with synthesis of organobentonite in one-step process

A novel technology of wastewater treatment was proposed based on simultaneously synthesis of organobentonite and removal of organic pollutants such as phenols from water in one-step, which resulted that both surfactants and organic pollutants were removed from water by bentonite. The effects of contact time, pH and inorganic salt on the removal of phenols were investigated. Kinetic results showed that phenols and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) could be removed by bentonite in 25 min. The removal efficiencies were achieved at 69%, 92% and 99%, respectively, for phenol, p-nitrophenol and beta-naphthol at the initial amount of CTMAB at about 120% cation exchange capacity of bentonite. Better dispersion property and more rapid bentonite sedimentation were observed in the process. The results indicated that the one-step process is an efficient, simple and low cost technology for removal of organic pollutants and cationic surfactants from water. The proposed technology made it possible that bentonite was applied as sorbent for wastewater treatment in industrial scale.     

超/亚临界水中四溴双酚A的脱溴降解特性研究

在超/亚临界水及其碱溶液中对四溴双酚A进行了水热脱溴降解研究。考察了温度、时间和碱类型对降解特性的影响。结果表明,在纯水中温度是影响四溴双酚A降解的关键参数,350℃下反应180 min和400℃反应30 min,脱溴率分别达到98.7%和96.7%,降解产物中苯酚和4-丁基苯酚分别占50%和20%以上,另外还有少量的烷基酚;向反应体系中加入碱不仅可以中和反应过程中产生的氢溴酸以保护超临界反应釜,而且可以在较低温度下实现高的脱溴率,产物中苯酚含量达50%以上、4-异丙烯基苯酚占10%左右,可以实现脱溴同时回收化工产品的目的。与传统的热解技术相比,超/亚临界水处理TBBPA具有明显的优势,本研究为含溴电子废弃物的清洁高附加值资源化利用提供了一条新的途径。     

微波辅助光催化降解水中酚的研究

利用改装的家用微波炉和自制的无电极灯(EDL)试验了5种酚在水溶液中的微波辅助光催化降解效果.结果表明,反应30 min,微波辅助光催化作用(MW/EDL/TiO2)能去除80%以上的苯酚、间硝基苯酚、对氯苯酚和对甲酚,相应溶液的总有机碳(TOC)均减少70%以上,2-萘酚的去除率为59%,溶液TOC减少54%;微波(MW或MW/TiO2)作用对酚的去除率有一定贡献;对上述5种酚的微波辅助光催化反应动力学进行了初步研究,发现均符合准一级动力学方程.     

Characterization of microbial consortia that reductively dechlorinate 4-chlorophenol and transform phenol to benzoate enriched from estuarine sediment of Lake Shinji

Monochlorophenols were degraded to benzoate via phenol by the initial dechlorination and the subsequent conversion of phenol to benzoate in anaerobic sediment samples of estuarine Lake Shinji under methanogenic conditions. To characterize bacteria that dechlorinate 4-chlorophenol and transform phenol to benzoate, we analyzed the microbial community structure of the enrichment culture with each 4-chlorophenol and phenol by the limiting dilution method with polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene. After serial dilution of the culture, the 4-chlorophenol-dechlorinating culture consisted of two dominant bacteria, one of which was most homologous with Dehalobacter sp. In the enriched culture with phenol, minor band homologous with Cryptanaerobacter phenolicass corresponded to the transformation activity.     

各种影响因子对电解法预处理医药废水的影响研究

探讨了电解法预处理医药废水时停留时间、电解电压、废水初始浓度、温度和废水pH值等影响因子对去除色度、COD和提高废水可生化性等处理效果的影响,并考察了其应用于工业实际废水处理的可行性.实验结果表明:电解法更适合高浓度医药废水的处理,色度的去除率可达到90%以上;电解时间宜控制在40～60 min;电解电压越高,废水COD和色度去除效果越好;在实验温度范围内,温度对色度和COD去除率的影响不大;废水pH值为7.5时电解效果最佳,工程运用宜控制在6～9之间.     

Photochemical degradation and mineralization of 4-chlorophenol

INTENTION, GOAL, SCOPE, BACKGROUND: Since the intermediate products of some compounds can be more toxic and/or refractory than the original compund itself, the development of innovative oxidation technologies which are capable of transforming such compounds into harmless end products, is gaining more importance every day. Advanced oxidation processes are one of these technologies. However, it is necessary to optimize the reaction conditions for these technologies in order to be cost-effective. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study were to see if complete mineralization of 4-chlorophenol with AOPs was possible using low pressure mercury vapour lamps, to make a comparison of different AOPs, to observe the effect of the existence of other ions on degradation efficiency and to optimize reaction conditions. METHODS: In this study, photochemical advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing the combinations of UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/H2O2/Fe2+ (photo-Fenton process) were investigated in labscale experiments for the degradation and mineralization of 4-chlorophenol. Evaluations were based on the reduction of 4-chlorophenol and total organic carbon. The major parameters investigated were the initial 4-chlorophenol concentration, pH, hydrogen peroxide and iron doses and the effect of the presence of radical scavengers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was observed that the 4-chlorophenol degradation efficiency decreased with increasing concentration and was independent of the initial solution pH in the UV process. 4-chlorophenol oxidation efficiency for an initial concentration of 100 mgl(-1) was around 89% after 300 min of irradiation in the UV process and no mineralization was achieved. The efficiency increased to > 99% with the UV/H2O2 process in 60 min of irradiation, although mineralization efficiency was still around 75% after 300 min of reaction time. Although the H2O2/4-CP molar ratio was kept constant, increasing initial 4-chlorophenol concentration decreased the treatment efficiency. It was observed that basic pHs were favourable in the UV/H2O2 process. The results showed that the photo-Fenton process was the most effective treatment process under acidic conditions. Complete disappearance of 100 mgl(-1) of 4-chlorophenol was achieved in 2.5 min and almost complete mineralization (96%) was also possible after only 45 min of irradiation. The efficiency was negatively affected from H2O2 in the UV/H2O2 process and Fe2+ in the photo-Fenton process over a certain concentration. The highest negative effect was observed with solutions containing PO4 triple ions. Required reaction times for complete disappearance of 100 mgl(-1) 4-chlorophenol increased from 2.5 min for an ion-free solution to 30 min for solutions containing 100 mgl(-1) PO4 triple ion and from 45 min to more than 240 min for complete mineralization. The photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol was found to follow the first-order law. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that UV irradiation alone can degrade 4-CP, although at very slow rates, but cannot mineralize the compound. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the system, the so-called UV/H2O2 process, significantly enhances the 4-CP degradation rate, but still requires relatively long reaction periods for complete mineralization. The photo-Fenton process, the combination of homogeneous systems of UV/H2O2/Fe2+ compounds, produces the highest photochemical elimination rate of 4-CP and complete mineralization is possible to achieve in quite shorter reaction periods when compared with the UV/H2O2 process. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: It is more cost effective to use these processes for only purposes such as toxicity reduction, enhancement of biodegradability, decolorization and micropollutant removal. However the most important point is the optimization of the reaction conditions for the process of concern. In such a case, AOPs can be used in combination with a biological treatment systems as a pre- or post treatment unit providing the cheapest treatment option. The AOP applied, for instance, can be used for toxicity reduction and the biological unit for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal.