Degradation of the antibiotics amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution by the photo-Fenton process

J Hazard Mater. 2009 Dec 30;172(2-3):1476-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.015. Epub 2009 Aug 11.

Abstract

The study examined degradation of the antibiotics amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution by the photo-Fenton process. The optimum operating conditions for treatment of an aqueous solution containing 104, 105 and 103 mg/L amoxicillin, ampicillin, and cloxacillin, respectively was observed to be H(2)O(2)/COD molar ratio 1.5, H(2)O(2)/Fe(2+) molar ratio 20 and pH 3. Under optimum operating conditions, complete degradation of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin occurred in 2 min. Biodegradability (BOD(5)/COD ratio) improved from approximately 0 to 0.4, and COD and DOC degradation were 80.8 and 58.4%, respectively in 50 min. Photo-Fenton treatment resulted in the release and mineralization of organic carbon and nitrogen in the antibiotic molecule. Increase in ammonia and nitrate concentration, and DOC degradation were observed as a result of organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization. DOC degradation increased to 58.4% and ammonia increased from 8 to 13.5mg/L, and nitrate increased from 0.3 to 14.2mg/L in 50 min.

MeSH terms

  • Amoxicillin / chemistry
  • Amoxicillin / radiation effects
  • Ampicillin / chemistry
  • Ampicillin / radiation effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / radiation effects
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Carbon
  • Cloxacillin / chemistry
  • Cloxacillin / radiation effects
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron
  • Nitrogen
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Solutions
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / radiation effects
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Fenton's reagent
  • Solutions
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Carbon
  • Ampicillin
  • Amoxicillin
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron
  • Nitrogen
  • Cloxacillin