Degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol in aqueous solution by ozonation

This study investigates the ozonation of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in aqueous solution. The affecting factors on the degradation of EE2 were studied and described in details, such as initial EE2 concentration, initial pH value and ozone concentration. In addition, some parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, mineralization efficiency and degradation products were monitored during the process. The mineralization efficiency of EE2 could reach 53.9%. During the ozonation process the rapid decrease of pH and the sharp increase of electrical conductivity indicated the formation of acidic by-products, small fragments and ions which were confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Results showed that there were intermediate products of smaller molecule with higher polarity produced during the course of EE2 degradation. Then a possible reaction pathway for EE2 degradation involving all intermediates detected is proposed. During the ozonation process EE2 was first oxidized into hydroxyl-semiquinone isomers which were subsequently degraded into low molecular weight compounds such as oxalic acid, malonate, glutarate, and so on. Furthermore, these organic acids are easily oxidized by ozone into carbon dioxide (CO2). This work shows that ozonation process is promising for the removal of EE2. The results can provide some useful information for the potential treatment of EE2 by ozonation in aqueous solution.