Knowra Advanced oxidation process Advanced oxidation process An advanced oxidation process generates highly reactive species, especially hydroxyl radicals, to transform or mineralize contaminants in water and other media.
Hydroxyl radical : A highly reactive radical, •OH, that rapidly oxidizes many organic compounds. It is the principal short-lived oxidant in many advanced oxidation processes.
Pharmaceutical pollution : The release and presence of medicinal compounds in the environment, especially in water. Advanced oxidation is investigated for removing persistent drug residues from wastewater.
Activated sludge : A wastewater treatment process in which aerated microbial communities consume biodegradable pollutants. Unlike biological treatment, advanced oxidation can attack compounds microbes degrade slowly or poorly.
Total organic carbon : The total amount of carbon bound in organic compounds in a sample. Its decline indicates mineralization more directly than disappearance of a parent contaminant.
Fenton reaction : A reaction in which iron ions catalyze hydrogen peroxide decomposition, producing hydroxyl radicals. It is a classic chemical route for generating hydroxyl radicals in water.
Endocrine disruptor : A substance that interferes with hormone signaling in an organism. Oxidation can transform hormone-active contaminants that conventional treatment may leave behind.
Adsorption : The accumulation of molecules at the surface of a solid or liquid. Adsorption transfers contaminants to a material, whereas oxidation chemically transforms them.
Transformation product : A compound formed when a parent chemical is altered by a physical, chemical, or biological process. Partial oxidation can leave products whose persistence or toxicity differs from the original contaminant.
Photocatalysis : The acceleration of a chemical reaction by light-activated materials that participate in the reaction without being consumed overall. Light-activated catalysts can generate oxidizing species at contaminant surfaces.
Microplastic : A plastic particle smaller than five millimeters, including fragments, fibers, and beads. Oxidative treatment is studied for altering or degrading plastic particles, though complete mineralization is challenging.
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