Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in environmental matrices: degradation by advanced oxidation processes

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are naturally occurring, manufactured or manmade chemicals or materials which are suspected present in various environmental compartments and whose toxicity or persistence are likely to significantly alter the metabolism of a living being. These are not yet subjected to regulatory criteria or norms for the protection of human health or the environment. Therefore, the degradation of such compounds followed by the mineralisation is a subject of vital importance. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) which utilise the high reactivity of hydroxyl radicals (▪OH) are powerful methodologies for their degradation. A detailed description of the degradation of a series of CECs is included in this presentation. The selected CECs mainly include pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). In order to get the details of the intermediate radicals, pulse radiolysis was utilised. The product profiles were monitored using high resolution mass spectrometer connected to liquid chromatography (LC-QToF-MS). Most of these products were found to be the hydroxyl adducts of PPCPs. The degradation profile and mineralisation were monitored by HPLC and TOC analyser respectively. The mechanism of mineralisation was deduced using both the intermediate adduct radicals and final products