Degradation of oxytetracycline in saturated porous media by in-situ chemical oxidation using oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride and peroxymonosulfate (PMS)

Abstract

<p>Oxytetracycline (OTC) is one of the popular antibiotics accumulated in soils and groundwater, posing harmful effects on ecological systems and human health. This work aims to examine the feasibility of OTC degradation using a new catalyst, oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride (O-gC<sub>3</sub>N) for in-situ oxidative remediation. The in-situ oxidation system was simulated with column experiments to investigate the performance of PMS activation and OCT removal in saturated porous media. Numerical modeling as HYDRUS 1D was used for analyzing the transport behaviors of OTC in saturated porous media. The results show that OTC transport in saturated porous media is non-equilibrium. O-gC<sub>3</sub>N can efficiently activate PMS to degrade OTC and the increase of PMS and O-gC<sub>3</sub>N can enhance OTC removal. A wide pH range is beneficial for OTC degradation in saturated porous media. EBCT significantly affects OTC degradation and the optimal velocity was 0.4 cm/min. The findings of this work suggest that the O-gC<sub>3</sub>N catalyst can effectively be utilized for the in-situ oxidation of organic pollutants in contaminated sites.</p>