Degradation of antibiotics norfloxacin by Fenton, UV and UV/H2O2

This study aimed to evaluate the degradation of the antibiotic norfloxacin, using direct photolysis (UV), photolysis with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) and Fenton's oxidation processes. Initially, it was evaluated the behavior of the antibiotic norfloxacin on direct photolysis, in order to see if the process could be a pertinent way to eliminate the drug in water treatment stations. The results showed that the use of direct photolysis was not effective in the degradation of the antibiotic, reaching a degradation rate of 85% and a mineralization rate of 2% in 7 h of reaction; leading to the formation of intermediates products. To optimize the UV treatment, it was used the combined UV/H2O2 process. Several concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.7, 1.4, 2.1, 2.8, 3.5 and 4.2 mmol/L) at pH 7 were tested. The concentration of 2.1 mmol/L reached a degradation rate of 100% in 100 min of reaction. Based on this result, the speed of the reaction at pH 2, 3, 5, and 10 was evaluated for that same concentration of H2O2. The shortest reaction time (60 min) was verified at pH 2 and 3. For the treatment using Fenton oxidation, a degradation rate of 60% of the compound and a mineralization rate of 55% was obtained in 60 min. The study revealed that the Fenton oxidation and UV/H2O2 can be used for norfloxacin removal, reaching respectively degradation rates of 100% and 60%, and mineralization rates of 55% and 32%.