Degradation of 17β-estradiol and bisphenol A in aqueous medium by using ozone and ozone/UV techniques

Decomposition and complete degradation of two endocrine disrupters, namely 17β-estradiol (E2) and bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous medium by using ozone (O3) only and O3/UV advanced oxidation techniques (AOT) has been studied. The efficiency of the O3 systems used were determined based on the initial conversion and complete degradation of the substrates. Within the limits of the O3 dosages used, coupling of UV decreased the O3 consumption by 22.5% in converting the same amount of E2. Also the time to convert the same amount of E2 was considerably decreased. It was observed that there is no significant difference in O3 amount consumed for complete conversion of BPA by O3 and O3/UV systems. However, when O3 dosage decreased the amount of BPA conversion exhibits significant differences between two processes. The intermediate products formed during the oxidation of E2 were determined to be formed by oxidation of aromatic side of E2 with O3/OH radical.