Combining TiO2-photocatalysis and wetland reactors for the efficient treatment of pesticides

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 71; no. 4; pp. 788 - 794
• Main Authors: Araña, J, Garriga i Cabo, C, Fernández Rodríguez, C, Herrera Melián, J.A, Ortega Méndez, J.A, Doña Rodríguez, J.M, Pérez Peña, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier 01.03.2008
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Araceae - drug effects; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; biological treatment; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Catalysis; catalysts; constructed wetlands; dicofol; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Folimat; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; omethoate; Other wastewaters; oxadiazon; pesticides; Pesticides - chemistry; Pesticides - toxicity; Photochemistry; photolysis; Pollution; pyrimethanil; Ronstar; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; tetradifon; Titanium - chemistry; titanium dioxide; triadimenol; ultraviolet radiation; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; Wetlands; Agricultural chemical product; Monocotyledones; Lemnaceae; Combined process; Toxicity; Biological purification; Decontamination; Angiospermae; Agriculture; Wetland; Organic compounds; Photochemical degradation; Biodegradation; Photocatalysis; Wetland reactors; Pesticides; Lemna minor; Heterogeneous catalysis; Ultraviolet radiation; Spermatophyta; Physicochemical purification; Water pollution; Waste water purification; Titanium oxide; Performance; Photooxidation
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.10.008

In the present work the photocatalytic and biological degradation of two commercial mixtures of pesticides (Folimat and Ronstar) and two fungicides (pyrimethanil and triadimenol) has been studied. The evolution of some components of these commercial products (dicofol, tetradifon and oxadiazon) and that of the two fungicides has been monitored by means of HPLC, GC-MS, TOC and toxicity (Lemna minor toxicity test) measurements. The photocatalytic method was able to degrade dicofol, tetradifon, pyrimethanil, triadimenol and the components of Ronstar with the exception of oxadiazon. In addition to this, the photocatalytic method eliminated pyrimethanil toxicity and reduced that of triadimenol by a 90%, Ronstar by a 78% and Folimat by an 87%. Nevertheless, the wetland reactors alone could reduce the toxicity of only the former. Finally, the proper dosage of the water containing the pesticides to a photocatalytic reactor followed by a wetland reactor resulted to be the most successful strategy for the detoxification of the studied compounds and their mixtures.