Degradation of dimethyl phthalate in solutions and soil slurries by persulfate at ambient temperature

The degradation of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) by persulfate at ambient temperature (T = 20-40 °C) was investigated in aqueous solutions and soil slurries to assess the feasibility of using persulfate to remediate DMP contaminated soil and groundwater. First, the effects of temperature, initial oxidant concentration, initial DMP concentration and initial solution pH on the removal of DMP and TOC were studied in aqueous solutions. The results show that persulfate at 40 °C can effectively mineralize DMP. Furthermore, dimethyl 4-hydroxyl phthalate, maleic acid and oxalic acid were identified as the degradation intermediates, and degradation pathways were proposed. Lastly, persulfate at 40 °C was applied to remediate soil spiked with DMP at ∼600 mg/kg. The results show that persulfate at 40 °C is highly effective for the remediation of DMP contaminated soil. Overall, this study provides fundamental and practical knowledge for the treatment of emerging phthalate esters (PAEs) contaminated soil and groundwater, as well as PAEs contaminated industrial wastewater, with persulfate at ambient temperature.