Chemical and photochemical degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in liquid systems - A review

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Mónica S. F. Santos (Author) FEUP; Arminda Alves (Author) FEUP; Luís M. Madeira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Water Research

Vol. 88

Pages: 39-59

ISSN: 0043-1354

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 80 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 88 Citations

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

LEPAE/CEFT - RL2 - (Bio) Chemical Engineering: Multi-Scale Approaches for Sustainable Environment and Health

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-Q2C

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.09.044

Abstract (EN): Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are brominated flame retardants which have received a great deal of attention due to their persistence, potential to bioaccumulate and possible toxic effects. PBDEs have been globally detected in humans, wildlife and environment, highlighting the urgency of looking for effective removal technologies to mitigate their spread and accumulation in the environment. Among all environmental compartments, the water has raised particular attention. This paper aims to provide information about the suitability of the main degradation processes investigated to date (photolysis, zerovalent iron and TiO2 photocatalysis) for the degradation of PBDEs in water matrices. The most relevant criteria behind the design of a system for such purpose are discussed in detail for each individual process. The comparative analysis suggests that the oxidative degradation by TiO2 is the most appropriated technology to treat waters contaminated with PBDEs because higher debromination and mineralization degrees are achieved, preventing the formation/accumulation of lower brominated PBDE congeners and promoting the cracking of aromatic cores.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 21