Photocatalytic degradation of agricultural antibiotics using a UV-LED light source

• Published in: Journal of environmental science and health. Part B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 35 - 40
• Main Authors: Malkhasian, Aramice Y.S., Izadifard, Maryam, Achari, Gopal, Langford, Cooper H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2014; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agricultural antibiotics; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Antibiotics; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drinking water; Endocrine disruptors; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Environmental science; Ethinyl Estradiol - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; LED light sources; Light emitting diodes; Oxytetracycline - chemistry; Photocatalysis; Photolysis; Spectrophotometry; Sulfamethoxazole - chemistry; Ultraviolet Rays; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollution, Chemical - prevention & control; Drinking water; Antibiotic; Ultraviolet radiation; Emerging contaminant; Photocatalysis; Environment; Agriculture; LED light sources; Agricultural antibiotics; Photochemical degradation
• ISSN: 0360-1234; 1532-4109
• DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2013.836871

With a view to developing a UV-LED photocatalytic reactor for small and remote water systems, the degradation of three representative agriculturally produced contaminants, two antibiotics and an endocrine disruptor hormone, was evaluated in a bench 365 nm LED photoreactor using a slurry of the well-known Degussa P25® (TiO 2 ) as photocatalyst. Use of an additional electron capture additives O 2 and H 2 O 2 was also assessed. Loss of the parent organic compounds was tracked by HPLC or UV absorbance and mineralization, where feasible, was studied with TOC analysis with conventional instrumentation. In all cases, degradation is significant with moderate light dose. Lab data suggest log reduction with light delivery less than 2.2 kWhr per cubic meter light delivery.