Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide

Extensive utilization of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has resulted in contamination of the aquatic environment; this situation requires effective treatment technology. Ultraviolet-based advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) are widely employed for the removal of organic cont...

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Main Authors: Jelena Mitrović, Miljana Radović Vučić, Miloš Kostić, Milica Petrović, Nena Velinov, Slobodan Najdanović, Aleksandar Bojić
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Separations
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/5/116
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author Jelena Mitrović
Miljana Radović Vučić
Miloš Kostić
Milica Petrović
Nena Velinov
Slobodan Najdanović
Aleksandar Bojić
author_facet Jelena Mitrović
Miljana Radović Vučić
Miloš Kostić
Milica Petrović
Nena Velinov
Slobodan Najdanović
Aleksandar Bojić
author_sort Jelena Mitrović
collection DOAJ
description Extensive utilization of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has resulted in contamination of the aquatic environment; this situation requires effective treatment technology. Ultraviolet-based advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) are widely employed for the removal of organic contaminants from water. This study’s aim was to compare the degradation of the pesticide 2,4-D in UV-C-activated peroxide and peroxydisulfate systems. UV-C irradiation alone exhibited a negligible effect on pesticide degradation, whereas the addition of oxidants significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency relative to 2,4-D. Complete pesticide removal was achieved after 15 min of UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> treatment, while twice as much time was required with the UV/S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>8</sub><sup>2−</sup> process. COD decreased by 74% and 28% for UV-C-activated peroxide and peroxydisulfate, respectively. Both investigated systems demonstrated good performance for 2,4-D dechlorination. Pesticide degradation rates increased with increasing dosages of the applied oxidants. Acidic conditions were more favorable for degradation of 2,4-D, compared to neutral and basic conditions, for both systems studied. The degradation efficiency relative to 2,4-D decreased in the presence of HA, Cl<sup>−</sup> and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> in water matrices. The predominant radical for the UV-C-activated peroxydisulfate was determined to be a sulfate radical. These findings are of fundamental and practical significance in understanding UV-C-activated 2,4-D degradation, paving the way for the selection of preferred processes for the optimal removal of pesticides from various aqueous matrices.
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spelling doaj-art-ff2ff5f37d3044bc8208280007c059352025-08-20T03:12:18ZengMDPI AGSeparations2297-87392025-05-0112511610.3390/separations12050116Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected HerbicideJelena Mitrović0Miljana Radović Vučić1Miloš Kostić2Milica Petrović3Nena Velinov4Slobodan Najdanović5Aleksandar Bojić6Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, SerbiaExtensive utilization of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has resulted in contamination of the aquatic environment; this situation requires effective treatment technology. Ultraviolet-based advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) are widely employed for the removal of organic contaminants from water. This study’s aim was to compare the degradation of the pesticide 2,4-D in UV-C-activated peroxide and peroxydisulfate systems. UV-C irradiation alone exhibited a negligible effect on pesticide degradation, whereas the addition of oxidants significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency relative to 2,4-D. Complete pesticide removal was achieved after 15 min of UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> treatment, while twice as much time was required with the UV/S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>8</sub><sup>2−</sup> process. COD decreased by 74% and 28% for UV-C-activated peroxide and peroxydisulfate, respectively. Both investigated systems demonstrated good performance for 2,4-D dechlorination. Pesticide degradation rates increased with increasing dosages of the applied oxidants. Acidic conditions were more favorable for degradation of 2,4-D, compared to neutral and basic conditions, for both systems studied. The degradation efficiency relative to 2,4-D decreased in the presence of HA, Cl<sup>−</sup> and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> in water matrices. The predominant radical for the UV-C-activated peroxydisulfate was determined to be a sulfate radical. These findings are of fundamental and practical significance in understanding UV-C-activated 2,4-D degradation, paving the way for the selection of preferred processes for the optimal removal of pesticides from various aqueous matrices.https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/5/116hydroxyl radicalssulfate radicalsAOPs
spellingShingle Jelena Mitrović
Miljana Radović Vučić
Miloš Kostić
Milica Petrović
Nena Velinov
Slobodan Najdanović
Aleksandar Bojić
Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
Separations
hydroxyl radicals
sulfate radicals
AOPs
title Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
title_full Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
title_fullStr Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
title_short Comparative Evaluation of UV-C-Activated Peroxide and Peroxydisulfate for Degradation of a Selected Herbicide
title_sort comparative evaluation of uv c activated peroxide and peroxydisulfate for degradation of a selected herbicide
topic hydroxyl radicals
sulfate radicals
AOPs
url https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/5/116
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