Developments in the intensification of photo-Fenton and ozonation-based processes for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern in Ibero-American countries

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, synthetic and natural hormones and industrial chemicals, are frequently released into the environment because of the inability of conventional processes in municipal wastewater treatment plants to remove them. Some examples of alternative options to remove such pollutants are photo-Fenton and ozone-based processes, which are two techniques widely studied in Ibero-American countries. In fact, this region has been responsible for delivering frequently publications and conferences on advanced oxidation processes. This work is a critical review of recent developments in the intensification of the two aforementioned advanced oxidation techniques for CECs elimination in the Ibero-American region. Specifically for the photo-Fenton process (pF), this study analyses strategies such as iron-complexation with artificial substances (e.g., oxalic acid and ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid) and natural compounds (such as humic-like substances, orange juice or polyphenols) and hybrid processes with ultrasound. Meanwhile, for ozonation, the enhancement of CECs degradation by adding hydrogen peroxide (i.e., peroxone), ultraviolet or solar light, and combining (i.e., photolytic ozonation) with catalysts (i.e., catalytic ozonation) was reviewed. Special attention was paid to how efficient these techniques are for removing contaminants from water matrices, and any potentialities and weak points of the intensified processes. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, hormones, and industrial chemicals are often released into the environment due to the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment plants. The Ibero-American region has been actively studying advanced oxidation processes like photo-Fenton and ozone-based processes for CECs removal. The focus is on the efficiency of these techniques and any potential weaknesses when removing contaminants from water matrices.