Advanced oxidation technologies for the degradation of pesticides in ground water and surface water

An overview of the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) studied for the degradation of pesticides combined with the formation of by-products is presented. It was found that the degree of conversion of pesticides is about the same with the Fenton process and UV/H₂O₂ within the margin of practical application, but slightly different with ozone/H₂O₂. Bentazone is readily degraded by the latter process, but more persistent during water treatment with the Fenton process and UV/H₂O₂, whilst atrazine is difficult to convert with all of these processes. Although bromate formation cannot be avoided completely with ozone/H₂O₂, it can be realized with the Fenton process and UV/H2O₂. Upon degradation of pesticides with UV/H₂O₂ nitrite is produced, the amount depending on the water quality with respect to the nitrate concentration. Based on the a-selective nature of the hydroxyl radical AOC is formed out of DOC, which indicates that ozone/H₂O₂, the Fenton process as well as UV/H₂O₂ should be applicable for the development of biological GAC filtration.