UV-C Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Wastewater Regeneration: Simultaneous Inactivation of Pathogens and Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern

Abstract

This study explores the capability of Sulfate Radical-based Advanced Oxidation Processes (SR-AOPs) for the simultaneous disinfection and decontamination of urban wastewater. Sulfate and hydroxyl radicals in solution were generated activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under UV-C irradiation at pilot plant scale. The efficiency of the process was assessed toward the removal of three CECs (Trimethoprim (TMP), Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and Diclofenac (DCF)) and three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp.) in actual urban wastewater (UWW), obtaining the optimal value of PMS at 0.5 mmol/L. Under such experimental conditions, bacterial concentration ≤ 10 CFU/100 mL was reached after 15 min of UV-C treatment (0.03 kJ/L of accumulative UV-C radiation) for natural occurring bacteria, no bacterial regrowth was observed after 24 and 48 h, and 80 % removal of total CECs was achieved after 12 min (0.03 kJ/L), with a release of sulfate ions far from the limit established in wastewater discharge. Moreover, the inactivation of Ampicillin (AMP), Ciprofloxacin (CPX), and Trimethoprim (TMP) antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and reduction of target genes (ARGs) were successfully achieved. Finally, a harmful effect toward the receiving aquatic environment was not observed according to Aliivibrio fischeri toxicity tests, while a slightly toxic effect toward plant growth (phytotoxicity tests) was detected. As a conclusion, a cost analysis demonstrated that the process could be feasible and a promising alternative to successfully address wastewater reuse challenges.

Recent advances in metal-free catalysts for the remediation of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs)

“…Recently, combining photocatalysis and PS might be effective for simultaneous disinfection and decontamination of contaminated water. For example, Berruti et al 302 explored the purification of urban wastewater by using an UVC/PMS system. The removal efficiency of this oxidation system was assessed according to the degradation of three contaminants (>80% within 12 min) and inactivation of three representative bacteria (<10 CFU per 100 mL after 12 min).…”

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SOME GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS ON THE DECONTAMINATION QUALITY OF A NON-LAMBERTIAN TYPE DETECTOR, USING A UV-C LEDs MATRIX

“…UV-C is already used successfully in various fields, such as medicine, ecology, postharvest technologies etc., alone (Rodgers et al, 2023;Calle et al, 2023;Meneses-Espinosa et al, 2023;Ruetalo et al, 2022;Yemmireddy et al, 2022;Iturralde-García et al 2022;Cruz Mendoza et al, 2022;Berruti et al, 2021;Sorică et al, 2021), or in combination with other methods (e.g. the use of ozone) (Sottani et al, 2023;Dogu-Baykut et al, 2022;Martínez de Alba et al, 2021;Frigerio et al, 2021;Gutiérrez et al, 2017).…”

Peroxymonosulphate Activation by Basolite® F-300 for Escherichia coli Disinfection and Antipyrine Degradation

“…Another current problem is the overuse of water, which may lead to a lack of it as a resource [ 20 ]. Thus, it is crucial to improve the quality of treated wastewater to enable reuse in industries and agriculture [ 21 , 22 , 23 ], being essential to reduce the negative impact of pharmaceuticals and pathogens in the aquatic environment [ 24 ].…”