Ozonation and H sub(2)O sub(2)/UV Treatment of Clofibric Acid in Water: a Kinetic Investigation

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals or their active metabolites in surface and ground waters is attributed to their incomplete removal in sewage treatment plants. Advanced oxidation schemes offer a suitable tool to reduce the environmental release of such species by enhancing the global efficiency of pharmaceuticals reduction in municipal sewage plant effluents. The kinetics of abatement from aqueous solutions of clofibric acid, which has been detected in surface, ground, and drinking waters, were analyzed. Rapid removal of the compound in aqueous solution was effected by ozonization with hydrogen peroxide photolysis. An almost complete conversion of the organic chlorine content into chloride ions was observed for the reaction conditions tested.