Degradation of ranitidine and changes in N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential by advanced oxidation processes: Role of oxidant speciation and water matrix

This study investigated the effects of thirteen (photo/electro) chemical oxidation processes on the formation potential (FP) of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during the chloramination of ranitidine in reverse osmosis (RO) permeate and brine. The NDMA-FP varied significantly depending on the pretreatment process, initial pH, and water matrix types. At higher initial pH values (> 7.0), most pretreatments did not reduce the NDMA-FP, presumably because few radical species and more chloramine-reactive byproducts were generated. At pH < 7.0, however, electrochemical oxidation assisted by chloride and Fe2+/H2O2, catalytic wet peroxide oxidation and peroxydisulfate-induced pretreatments removed up to 85% of NDMA-FP in the RO brine. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation or prechlorination alone did not reduce the NDMA-FP effectively, but combined UV/chlorine treatment effectively reduced the NDMA-FP. In contrast, after UV irradiation (2.1 mW cm(-2) for 0.5 h) in the presence of H2O2 and chloramine, NDMA formation increased substantially (up to 26%) during the post-chloramination of the RO permeate. Mass spectrometric analysis and structural elucidation of the oxidation byproducts indicated that compared with the reactive nitrogen species generated by UV/NH2Cl, sulfate radicals and (photo/electro) chemically generated reactive chlorine species were more promising for minimizing NDMA-FP. Unlike, the hemolytic center dot OH driven by UV/H2O2, the center dot OH from Fe(IV)-assisted pretreatments showed a significant synergistic effect on NDMA-FP reduction. Overall, the results suggest the need for a careful assessment of the type of radical species to be used for treating an RO water system containing amine-functionalized compounds.

Automated summary

This study found that the formation potential of NDMA varied significantly depending on the pretreatment process, initial pH, and water matrix types. Certain electrochemical and catalytic wet peroxide oxidation pretreatments were effective in reducing NDMA-FP in RO brine, while UV/chlorine treatment showed promise in reducing NDMA-FP. It was also observed that different radical species had varying effects on NDMA-FP reduction in an RO water system.