Degradação de diuron por processos oxidativos avançados: O3, O3/Uv-C E Uv-C

Abstract

The herbicide Diuron, widely used for weed control in agriculture, stands out among emerging contaminants due to its environmental persistence and potential toxicity. Frequently detected in water bodies, this herbicide poses a considerable risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems, exacerbated by its resistance to conventional degradation processes. This study investigated alternatives for Diuron degradation using Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOPs), focusing on ozonation (O₃), ozonation with UV-C radiation (O₃/UV-C), and isolated UV-C radiation (UVC). The methodology included tests in a photoreactor, where variables such as pH, initial Diuron concentration, and reaction time were controlled to assess the efficiency of each process, including the evaluation of reaction kinetics. Results indicated that the O₃/UV-C system was particularly effective at pH 9, with an initial contaminant concentration of 5 mg/L achieving 96% degradation and predominantly exhibiting first-order degradation kinetics, with a rate constant of 0.039 in optimal conditions. This study highlights the potential of the O₃/UV-C system for treating herbicide-contaminated waters and underscores the need for further research to evaluate by-products and the feasibility of scaling up the process