Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are continuously introduced into the environment by human and livestock excretion, hospital sewage and pharmaceutical effluents. While the performance of UV photolysis regarding PhACs degradation may be limited by low quantum yields, it may be efficient when the contaminants significantly absorb UV radiation. In this work, the direct photolysis under 254 nm UVC radiation of acetaminophen (ACT), atenolol (ATL), bezafibrate (BZF), diclofenac (DIC) and ibuprofen (IBU), isolated and in mixture, was investigated. The results showed that PhAC photolysis followed apparent first-order kinetics, with removals ranging from 32% to 99% after 60 min, while all the compounds exhibited lower photolysis rates when mixed in solution. Less than 13% mineralization was achieved. The toxicity of irradiated solutions of Vibrio fischeri remained the same or slightly decreased for ATL, BZF and IBU, increased for ACT, and notably decreased for DIC; nevertheless, the solution of mixed PhACs became very toxic following irradiation, showing the need for oxidant addition for removing residual toxicity.
AGRADECIMENTOSAgradeço a Deus que me proporciona grandes oportunidades na vida e por estar sempre ao meu lado.Agradeço a Santa Rita de Cássia que sempre intercede por mim.Ao meu orientador Antonio Carlos, por sempre me ensinar e pela sua dedicação para realização desse trabalho. Obrigada por todas as reuniões, aprendizados e pela oportunidade em realizar esse mestrado, sem você esse trabalho não seria o mesmo.Aos meus pais, Genival e Terezinha, sem vocês eu nada seria, obrigada pela educação, incentivo e apoio em todos os momentos. Amo vocês.Ao meu querido esposo Felipe, pelo seu amor. Obrigada por tudo.
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