Application of the response surface and desirability design to the Lambda-cyhalothrin degradation using photo-Fenton reaction

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a potent pyrethroid insecticide used widely in pest management. Detectable levels of the pyrethroid in agricultural watersheds are potentially toxic to aquatic organisms. There is little information in the scientific literature about degradation in aqueous media of the Lambda-cyhalothrin by Advanced Oxidative Process. A mathematical approach for the degradation of this compound has not yet been fully explored… The Central composite design (CCD) and response surface method (RSM) were applied to evaluate and optimize the interactive effects of two operating variables. The initial dosages of H2O2 and Fe2+ on photo-Fenton degradation of an aqueous solution of Lambda-cyhalothrin in a recirculation flow-through UV photoreactor were used. The remaining concentration of Lambda-cyhalothrin (y1) and the percentage removal of total organic carbon (y2) were the monitored factors since they are dependent parameters of y1 and y2. According to analysis of variances (ANOVA) results, two proposed models can be used to navigate the design space with regression coefficient R2 – 0.834 and 0.843 for y1 and y2, respectively. A multi-response optimization procedure, based on the global desirability of the factors, was performed to establish the best concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulfate that would allow the most efficient degradation of Lambda-cyhalothrin concomitant with a maximal removal of total organic carbon. The global desirability surface revealed that 0.295 mmol L−1 of ferrous sulfate and 3.85 mmol L−1 of hydrogen peroxide were close to the optimum conditions to satisfy both factors simultaneously using minimal amounts of reagents. These photo-Fenton conditions promoted 100% of Lambda-cyhalothrin degradation and 79.83% TOC removal (mineralization) in 120 min of reaction time.

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► The photo-Fenton reaction provides an efficient process by which to degrade Lambda-cyhalothrin.
► Lambda-cyhalothrin was degraded most efficiently using 0.295 mM Fe2+ and 3.85 mM H2O2.
► The mathematical model is applicable to the simultaneous Lambda-cyhalothrin degradation and TOC removal.
► The CCD strategy described represents a powerful tool in the optimization of photo-Fenton reactions.