Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate
Abstract This research assesses how effectively alkaline-activated persulfate removes 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE) from groundwater, while examining the underlying mechanisms. The results show that while the degradation efficiency of 1,2-DCA (4.2 × 10-4 M) ranges from 42...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Environment Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-025-00249-x |
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| author | Yu-Chu Feng Yen-Ping Peng Chia-Hsiang Lai Chia-Hua Lin Yi-Min Lin Yu-Chen Chang Ku-Fan Chen |
| author_facet | Yu-Chu Feng Yen-Ping Peng Chia-Hsiang Lai Chia-Hua Lin Yi-Min Lin Yu-Chen Chang Ku-Fan Chen |
| author_sort | Yu-Chu Feng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This research assesses how effectively alkaline-activated persulfate removes 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE) from groundwater, while examining the underlying mechanisms. The results show that while the degradation efficiency of 1,2-DCA (4.2 × 10-4 M) ranges from 42 to 96%, TCE (4.2 × 10-4 M) is completely degraded by persulfate (4.2 × 10-2 M) after 120 h. The alkaline conditions (pH > 11) improve the degradation of 1,2-DCA but hinder TCE breakdown, leading to the formation of vinyl chloride through dehydrochlorination of 1,2-DCA. The degradation patterns for 1,2-DCA and TCE align with pseudo-first-order kinetics. The highest rate constant for 1,2-DCA oxidation is 6.3 × 10-6 s-1 at pH 13 whereas the highest rate constant for TCE removal is 2.5 × 10-5 s-1 at pH 3. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis reveals the presence of both SO4 -· and ·OH in the alkaline-activated persulfate system. Although alkaline persulfate generates more sulfate radicals and highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals, the elevated pH reduces oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which limits contaminant removal. For each unit increase in pH, the ORP value decreases by approximately 49.9 mV. Additionally, the presence of chloride (0.05-0.40 M) and carbonate (0.01-0.27 M) diminishes the degradation rates of both pollutants, with carbonate having a more substantial inhibitory effect under alkaline conditions. When both 1,2-DCA and TCE are present, alkaline conditions suppress TCE degradation, and acidic conditions reduce 1,2-DCA removal. This study highlights the importance of pH, ORP, and anion interactions in the effectiveness of alkaline-activated persulfate in treating chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-13ec5b53619d4de192f2378845bcf4ed |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2468-2039 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Environment Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-13ec5b53619d4de192f2378845bcf4ed2025-08-20T02:34:19ZengBMCSustainable Environment Research2468-20392025-05-0135111310.1186/s42834-025-00249-xRemediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfateYu-Chu Feng0Yen-Ping Peng1Chia-Hsiang Lai2Chia-Hua Lin3Yi-Min Lin4Yu-Chen Chang5Ku-Fan Chen6Department of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan UniversityInstitute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Biotechnology, National Formosa UniversityDepartment of Biotechnology, National Formosa UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan UniversityAbstract This research assesses how effectively alkaline-activated persulfate removes 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE) from groundwater, while examining the underlying mechanisms. The results show that while the degradation efficiency of 1,2-DCA (4.2 × 10-4 M) ranges from 42 to 96%, TCE (4.2 × 10-4 M) is completely degraded by persulfate (4.2 × 10-2 M) after 120 h. The alkaline conditions (pH > 11) improve the degradation of 1,2-DCA but hinder TCE breakdown, leading to the formation of vinyl chloride through dehydrochlorination of 1,2-DCA. The degradation patterns for 1,2-DCA and TCE align with pseudo-first-order kinetics. The highest rate constant for 1,2-DCA oxidation is 6.3 × 10-6 s-1 at pH 13 whereas the highest rate constant for TCE removal is 2.5 × 10-5 s-1 at pH 3. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis reveals the presence of both SO4 -· and ·OH in the alkaline-activated persulfate system. Although alkaline persulfate generates more sulfate radicals and highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals, the elevated pH reduces oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which limits contaminant removal. For each unit increase in pH, the ORP value decreases by approximately 49.9 mV. Additionally, the presence of chloride (0.05-0.40 M) and carbonate (0.01-0.27 M) diminishes the degradation rates of both pollutants, with carbonate having a more substantial inhibitory effect under alkaline conditions. When both 1,2-DCA and TCE are present, alkaline conditions suppress TCE degradation, and acidic conditions reduce 1,2-DCA removal. This study highlights the importance of pH, ORP, and anion interactions in the effectiveness of alkaline-activated persulfate in treating chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-025-00249-xChlorinated organic compoundIn situ chemical oxidationAlkaline-activated persulfateDehydrochlorinationAnion |
| spellingShingle | Yu-Chu Feng Yen-Ping Peng Chia-Hsiang Lai Chia-Hua Lin Yi-Min Lin Yu-Chen Chang Ku-Fan Chen Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate Sustainable Environment Research Chlorinated organic compound In situ chemical oxidation Alkaline-activated persulfate Dehydrochlorination Anion |
| title | Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate |
| title_full | Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate |
| title_fullStr | Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate |
| title_short | Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline-activated persulfate |
| title_sort | remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds using alkaline activated persulfate |
| topic | Chlorinated organic compound In situ chemical oxidation Alkaline-activated persulfate Dehydrochlorination Anion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-025-00249-x |
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