Comparative study on degradation of propranolol and formation of oxidation products by UV/H2O2 and UV/persulfate (PDS)

The frequent detection of propranolol, a widely used beta-blocker, in wastewater effluents and surface waters has raised serious concern, due to its adverse effects on organisms. UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) and UV/persulfate (UV/PDS) processes are efficient in eliminating propranolol in various waters, but the formation of oxidation products in these processes, as well as the assessment of their toxicity, has not been systematically addressed. In this study, we identified and compared transformation products of propranolol produced by hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot) and sulfate radical (SO4 center dot-). The electrostatic attraction enhances the reaction between SO4 center dot- and the protonated form of propranolol, while (OH)-O-center dot shows non selectivity toward both protonated and neutral propranolol species. The hydroxylation of propranolol by (OH)-O-center dot occurs at either amine moiety or naphthalene group while SO4 center dot- favors the oxidation of the electron-rich naphthalene group. Further oxidation by (OH)-O-center dot and SO4 center dot- results in ring-opening products. Bicarbonate and chloride exert no effect on propranolol degradation. The generation of CO3 center dot- and Cl-containing radicals is favorable to oxidizing naphthalene group. The acute toxicity assay of Vibrio fischeri suggests that SO4 center dot- generates more toxic products than (OH)-O-center dot, while CO3 center dot- and Cl-containing radicals produce similar toxicity as SO4 center dot-. High concentrations of bicarbonate in UV/H2O2 increase the toxicity of treated solution. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.