Advanced oxidation technologies for the degradation of pesticides in ground water and surface water

An overview of the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) studied for the degradation of pesticides combined with the formation of by-products is presented. It was found that the degree of conversion of pesticides is about the same with the Fenton process and UV/H2O2 within the margin of practical application, but slightly different with ozone/H2O2. Bentazone is readily degraded by the latter process, but more persistent during water treatment with the Fenton process and UV/H2O2, whilst atrazine is difficult to convert with all of these processes. Although bromate formation cannot be avoided completely with ozone/H2O2, it can be realized with the Fenton process and UV/H2O2. Upon degradation of pesticides with UV/H2O2 nitrite is produced, the amount depending on the water quality with respect to the nitrate concentration. Based on the a-selective nature of the hydroxyl radical AOC is formed out of DOC, which indicates that ozone/H2O2, the Fenton process as well as UV/H2O2 should be applicable for the development of biological GAC filtration.