Degradation of BTEX and PAHs by Co(II) and Cu(II)-based radical-generating systems

Copper(II) or cobalt(II)/ligand/hydrogen peroxide systems were used for degradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX), and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. The most efficient systems were Cu/glucaric acid/H2O2 and Cu/d-arabinono-1,4-lactone/H2O2 for the degradation of BTEX. All compounds were completely degraded within 1h. Co/ascorbic acid/H2O2 system was the most effective for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation. More than 95% of anthracene, pyrene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene were degraded during a 1h incubation at 22°C. Oxidation of anthracene led to the formation of 9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-anthracenedione, and phthalic acid.