Removal and transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during electrocoagulation treatment of an industrial wastewater

Chenhao Gong, Gang Shen, Haiou Huang, Peiran He, Zhongguo Zhang, Baoqing Ma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important class of water pollutants because of their known ecological and human toxicity. Electrocoagulation (EC) is a promising technology for mitigating industrial wastewater pollution, but the removal and transformation of PAHs during EC treatment has not yet been understood. Therefore, a paper-making wastewater effluent (PMWW) was employed in this study to investigate the relationship between PAHs’ removal and transformation during EC treatment. The results show that 86% of PAHs were effectively removed not only by the electro-oxidation reactions, but also by adsorption onto Fe hydroxide flocs. The removal and transformation of PAHs were related to the number of rings in their structures. Some PAHs composed of two aromatic rings (e.g., naphthaline and dimethylnaphthalene) were produced from humic acid-like and fulvic acid-like organics in PMWW, while PAHs with three to four rings were degraded, thus being removed efficiently. Therefore, PAH transformation during EC treatment exerted double-sided effects on the removal of PAHs; the net effect appeared to be positive. Overall, this study revealed the existence and importance of PAH transformation during EC treatment and provided useful guidance for pulp and paper mills to improve the design and operation of wastewater treatment facilities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)58-64
Number of pages7
JournalChemosphere
Volume168
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2017

Keywords

  • Electrochemical degradation
  • Electrocoagulation
  • Excitation-emission matrix
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Transformation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Pollution
  • General Chemistry
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry

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