Synergistic effects and mechanisms of hydroxyl radical-mediated oxidative degradation of sulfamethoxazole by Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed calcium peroxide: Implications for remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water

Abstract In this study, a modified Fenton system using calcium peroxide (CaO 2 ) powder, as an effective source of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in aqueous solution was investigated. Our results indicated that degradation of SMX in Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed CaO 2 system was readily more efficient than in Fe(II) catalyzed CaO 2 system. The SMX degradation efficiency was found maximum at pH 6.0 and SMX degradation was suppressed as the initial solution pH was increased. Nevertheless overall removal efficiency in this system was favorable near to neutral pH. In addition, it was observed that the higher bicarbonates (HCO 3 − ) contents had a considerable scavenging ability to SMX degradation while low concentration exhibited auspicious role. The presence of chlorides (Cl − ), nitrates (NO 3 − ), sulfates (SO 4 2− ), and humic acid (HA) could improve SMX removal in this Fenton-like system. Furthermore, chemical probe and radical scavenging activity confirmed the formation of hydroxyl (HO ) and superoxide (O 2 − ) radicals, and also described that the SMX degradation was predominantly due to the HO -induced oxidative destruction. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies for different systems, different pH values and different reaction times were carried out to determine the HO radical intensities. EPR results showed that HO intensities were higher in Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed CaO 2 system, at pH 6.0 and at 90 s reaction time, respectively. Intermediate products of SMX were identified and possible mechanism of SMX degradation was suggested. In conclusion, this work provided comprehensive knowledge for the use of Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed CaO 2 system for remediation of SMX contaminated sites.