Electrochemical treatment of real petrochemical effluent: current density effect and toxicological tests

Abstract

This work aims to investigate the electrochemical treatment of petrochemical industry effluents (from the northwest region of Brazil) mediated by active chlorine species electro-generated at Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 and BDD anodes by applying 15 and 45 mA cm−2. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) determinations and toxicity analyses were carried out in order to evaluate the process extension as well as the possible reuse of the wastewater after treatment, respectively. Toxicity was evaluated by assessing the inhibition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) stem growth, seed germination as well as the production of nitrite and nitrate species. Results clearly evidenced that, the best COD reduction performances were reached at BDD anode, achieving almost 100% of removal in short times. Degradation of nitrogen-organic compounds generated nitrite and nitrate which participate as nutrients for lettuce plants. Toxicity results also indicated that the electrogenerated active chlorine species are persistent in the effluent after the treatment, avoiding the stem growth, and consequently affecting the germination.