Comparative analysis of trace contaminants in leachates before and after a pre-oxidation using a solar photo-Fenton reaction

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Elisangela M. R. Rocha (Author) Other; Francisco S. Mota (Author) Other; Vítor J. P. Vilar (Author) FEUP; Rui A. R. Boaventura (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 20 No. 9

Pages: 5994-6006

ISSN: 0944-1344

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Associated Projects

LA 20 - Projeto Estratégico-LA 20 - 2011-2012

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-80V

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1608-y

Abstract (EN): Sanitary landfill leachates are a complex mixture of high-strength organic and inorganic persistent contaminants, which constitute a serious environmental problem. In this study, trace contaminants present in leachates were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector before and after a pre-oxidation step using a solar photo-Fenton process. More than 40 organic compounds were detected and identified as benzene (0.09 +/- 0.07 mgL(-1)), trichlorophenol (TCP) (0.18 +/- 0.12 mgL(-1)), phthalate esters (Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) (DBP: 0.47 +/- 0.01 mgL(-1); BBP: 0.36 +/- 0.02 mgL(-1); DEHP: 0.18 +/- 0.01 mgL(-1)), among others. Toluene, pentachlorophenol, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and Di-n-octyl phthalate were never detected in any of the samples. After the photo-Fenton treatment process, TCP decreased to levels below its detection limit, benzene concentration increased approximately three times, and DBP concentration decreased about 77 % comparatively to the raw leachate sample. The solar photo-Fenton process was considered to be very efficient for the treatment of sanitary landfill leachates, leading to the complete elimination of 24 of the detected micropollutants to levels below their respective detection limits and low to significant abatement of seven other organic compounds, thus resulting in an increase of the leachate biodegradability.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13