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Aquatic photolysis of hydroxylated polybromodiphenyl ethers under direct UV irradiation: a case study of 2′-HO-BDE-68

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Abstract

Hydroxylated polyhalodiphenyl ethers (HO-PXDEs) have attracted considerable scientific interest as examples of emerging aquatic pollutants. However, a comprehensive assessment of disposal methods for this particular pollutant was seldom investigated. This study examined the UV light degradation of HO-PXDEs, using 2′-HO-2, 3′, 4, 5′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (2′-HO-BDE-68) as a case study. The results showed that UV light was superior to visible light and electron beam irradiation for producing a high degradation rate of 2′-HO-BDE-68. At low concentrations of HO-BDE, the degradation rate was not obviously improved with decreasing initial concentration. The degradation efficiency was also found to be better in alkaline solutions. In a UV/H2O2 system, the hydroxyl radical provided by H2O2 was shown to enhance the degradation efficiency. The main photolysis products of 2′-HO-BDE-68 were identified, and the possible photodegradation pathways were proposed. 1, 3, 8-Tribromodibenzo-p-dioxin was one of the photoproducts, which indicates that secondary pollution must also be considered with the UV photolysis process.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41430644, 41473090, 11675098, and 41373098).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People’s Republic of China

    Bentuo Xu, Minghong Wu, Chenyuan Pan, Yan Sun, Debao Yuan, Liang Tang & Gang Xu

  2. Institute of Applied Radiation, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People’s Republic of China

    Gang Xu

Authors
  1. Bentuo Xu
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  2. Minghong Wu
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  3. Chenyuan Pan
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  4. Yan Sun
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  5. Debao Yuan
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  6. Liang Tang
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  7. Gang Xu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gang Xu.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Vítor Pais Vilar

Highlights

• Direct UV irradiation could lead to complete 2′-HO-BDE-68 removal in 30 min.

• Superior conditions were discussed in the UV photolysis.

• Photoproducts were identified and degradation pathways were proposed.

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Xu, B., Wu, M., Pan, C. et al. Aquatic photolysis of hydroxylated polybromodiphenyl ethers under direct UV irradiation: a case study of 2′-HO-BDE-68. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 14409–14416 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8726-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8726-x

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