WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, vol.81, no.7, pp.735-742, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
Removal of simazine from aqueous solution by photo-Fenton oxidation was investigated using Box-Behnken statistical experiment design and the response surface analysis. The effects of simazine, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and iron(II) concentrations on the extent of simazine and total organic carbon (TOC) removals were investigated. Optimum reagent doses yielding the highest simazine and TOC removals were determined. The iron(II) concentration had a more pronounced effect than hydrogen peroxide on the percent simazine removal, while all parameters affected the mineralization (TOC removal) of simazine. Nearly complete removal of simazine was achieved within 6 minutes. However, complete mineralization of simazine was not achieved, even within 60 minutes at high simazine doses, indicating the formation of some intermediate products. The optimal H2O2/Fe(II)/simazine ratio, resulting in the maximum pesticide (100%) and TOC removal (100%), was found to be 50/30/0.5 (mg/L). Water Environ. Res., 81, 735 (2009).