Phenanthrene decomposition in soil washing effluents using UVB activation of hydrogen peroxide and peroxydisulfate

In this work, the decomposition of phenanthrene (PHE) in mimic and real soil washing (SW) effluents was investigated using UVB light assisted activation hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) peroxydisulfate (PDS) oxidation processes. The impact oxidant concentration, initial pH, coexisting inorganic anions (Cl?, HCO3? NO3?) on PHE removal evaluated. degradation efficiency under irradiation followed order UVB/PDS > UVB/H2O2 UVB. increase observed with increasing dose range 2–30 mM upon two It found Cl? played different roles systems depending solution pH concentration. influence elimination negligible process, while an inhibitory effect system. Nitrate inhibited decay both processes at 3.3, 7.1 8.6. Finally, application to treatment SW indicated that up 85.0% could be reached 6 h PDS, indicating process is a promising alternative for effluent treatment.