Photodegradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol in aqueous solution withNitzschia hantzschiana orChlorella vulgaris and Fe3

• Published in: Wuhan University journal of natural sciences 2004-01, Vol.9 (1), p.109-114
• Main Authors: Xian-li, Liu, Feng, Wu, Zhen-huan, Liao, Shun-xing, Li, Nan-sheng, Deng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Aqueous solutions; Catalysis; Distilled water; Ferric hydroxide; Hydrogen peroxide; Iron; Mercury; Mercury lamps; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation
• ISSN: 1007-1202; 1993-4998
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02912730

The photodegradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) induced by highpressure mercury lamp (λ≥313 nm, 250 W) in aqueous solution with algae (e. g.Nitzschia hantzschiana andChlorella vulgaris) and Fe3+ was ineestigated initially. The affecting factors on the photodegradation were studied and described in details, such as algae concentration, Fe3+, exposure time, and so on. The concentration of EE2 in distilled water was determined using fluorescence spectrophotometer. The photodegradation of EE2 in aqueous solution exposed to 250 W high-pressure mercury lamp was evident in the presence of algae and Fe3+. With the algae concentration increasing, photodegradation rate increased. Fe3+ could accelerate the photocatalytic degradation of EE2 in aqueous solution with algae. The colloidal ferric hydroxide particles that might have absorbed on the algae cells could enhance the photocatalytic degradation of EE2 by algae. The catalysis in photocatalytic degradation reaction mainly resulted from the active oxygen (H2O2,1O2 and ·OH) that was caused by algae and Fe3+ under 250 W HPML. In this paper, the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of EE2 by algae and Fe3+ is discussed theoretically in details.