Advanced Oxidation, an Application for Wastewater Treatment and Soil Remediation

Goal and Scope. The goal of the present paper is to introduce advanced oxidation processes (AOP) as a new and environmentally friendly method for water, soil, and air decontamination. AOP - "near ambient temperature and pressure water treatment processes which involve the generation of hydroxyl radicals in sufficient quantity to effect water purification" (Glaze et al. 1987). Many systems are qualified under this broad definition of AOP (Table 1). The hydroxyl radical ( degree OH) is a powerful, non-selective chemical oxidant. Once, generated, the hydroxyl radicals aggressively attack virtually all organic compounds. More traditional area of AOP application is a wastewater treatment. However, there are some cases of usage of AOPs for drinking water treatment. Recently, a new area of AOP application - contaminated soil treatment and remediation has arisen. During 15 years AOP studies have been successfully developed from the laboratory scale to some practical application as the main treatment, post-treatment, pre-treatment or as combination with other treatment processes.