Degradation of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds by Ozone in Synthetic Water

Abstract

In this research paper, ozone technology is used to eliminate pollutants in water and in wastewater treatment processes. The ozone reactions with the endocrine disrupters were studied at different gas flow rates, initial concentrations of endocrine disrupters, ozone concentrations and pH. The degradation of 17β-estradiol (E2) as single compound was the fastest reaching about 90% removal in almost 5 minutes. However, estrone (E1) degradation was the lowest reaching about 70% removal at the same time. The degradation of mixtures of the endocrine disruptors was found to proceed to lower percentages than individual components at the same conditions. During the multicomponent ozonation of the endocrine disruptors, it was found that 17β-estradiol (E2) converted to estrone (E1) at the beginning of the reaction.