Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Photochemical generation of reactive intermediates from urban-waste bio-organic substances under UV and solar irradiation

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and excited triplet states of organic matter (3OM*) play a key role in the degradation of pollutants in aquatic environments. The formation rates and quantum yields (Φ) of these reactive intermediates (RI) through photosensitized reactions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have been reported in the literature for decades. Urban biowaste-derived substances (UW-BOS), a form of organic matter derived from vegetative and urban waste, have recently been shown to be efficient sensitizers in the photo-degradation of different contaminants. Nevertheless, no quantitative measurements of photo-oxidant generation by UW-BOS have been reported. In this study, the formation quantum yields of 1O2 and •OH, as well as quantum yield coefficients of TMP degradation (indicative of 3OM* formation), were quantified for two UW-BOS samples, under 254-nm UV radiation or simulated sunlight and compared to a DOM standard from the Suwanee River (SRNOM). Values of Φ for UW-BOS samples ranged from Φ(+1O2) = 8.0 to 8.8 × 10−3, Φ(+•OH) = 4.1 to 4.3 × 10−6, and f TMP = 1.22 to 1.23 × 102 L Einstein−1 under simulated sunlight and from Φ(+1O2) = 1.4 to 2.3 × 10−2, Φ(+•OH) = 1.3 to 3.5 × 10−3, and f TMP = 3.3 to 3.9 × 102 L Einstein−1 under UV. Although UW-BOS are not necessarily better than natural DOM regarding photosensitizing properties, they do sensitize the production of RI and could potentially be used in engineered treatment systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arques A, Prevot A (2015) Soluble bio-based substances isolated from urban wastes. Springer International Publishing, ISBN 978-3-319-14744-4 (eBook), DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-14744-4

  • Avetta P, Prevot AB, Fabbri D, Montoneri E, Tomasso L (2012) Photodegradation of naphthalene sulfonic compounds in the presence of a bio-waste derived sensitizer. Chem Eng J 197:193–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Avetta P, Bella F, Prevot AB, Laurenti E, Montoneri E, Arques A, Carlos L (2013) Waste cleaning waste: photodegradation of monochlorophenols in the presence of waste-derived photosensitizer. Sustain Chem Eng 1:1545–1550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Avetta P, Berto S, Prevot AB, Minella M, Montoneri E, Persico D, Vione D, Gonzalez MC, Mártire DO, Carlos L, Arques A (2015) Photoinduced transformation of waste-derived soluble bio-based substances. Chem Eng J 274:247–255

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bodhipaksha LC, Sharpless CM, Chin YP, Sander M, Langston WK, Mackay AA (2015) Triplet photochemistry of effluent and natural organic matter in whole water and isolates from effluent-receiving rivers. Environ Sci Technol 49:3453–3463

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bound JP, Voulvoulis N (2004) Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment-acomparison of risk assessment strategies. Chemosphere 56:1143–1155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braun AM, Maurette MT, Oliveros E (1991) Photochemical technology. Wiley, Chischester

    Google Scholar 

  • Canonica S, Freiburghaus M (2001) Electron-rich phenols for probing the photochemical reactivity of freshwaters. Environ Sci Technol 35:690–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cawley KM, Hakala JA, Chin YP (2009) Evaluating the triplet state photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter isolated by chromatography and ultrafiltration using an alkylphenol probe molecule. Limnol Oceanogr Methods 7:391–398

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cawley KC, Korak JA, Rosario-Ortiz FL (2015) Quantum yields for the formation of reactive intermediates from dissolved organic matter samples from the Suwannee River. Environ Eng Sci 32:31–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dalrymple RM, Carfagno AK, Sharpless CM (2010) Correlations between dissolved organic matter optical properties and quantum yields of singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Environ Sci Technol 44:5824–5829

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dorfman LM, Taub IA, Buhler RE (1962) Pulse radiolysis studies I: transient spectra and reaction-rate constants in irradiated aqueous solutions of benzene. J Chem Phys 36:3051–3061

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emblidge JP, De Lorenzo ME (2006) Preliminary risk assessment of lipid-regulating pharmaceutical clofibric acid, for three estuarine species. Environ Res 100:216–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golanoski KS, Fang S, Del Vecchio R, Blough NV (2012) Investigating the mechanism of phenol photooxidation by humic substances. Environ Sci Technol 46:3912–3920

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomis J, Verchera RF, Amat AM, Mártire DO, González MC, Prevot AB, Montoneri E, Arques A, Carlos L (2013) Application of soluble bio-organic substances (SBO) as photocatalysts for wastewater treatment: sensitizing effect and photo-Fenton-like process. Catal Today 209:176–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomis J, Prevot AB, Montoneri E, González MC, Amat AM, Mártire DO, Arques A, Carlos L (2014) Waste sourced bio-based substances for solar-driven wastewater remediation: photodegradation of emerging pollutants. Chem Eng J 235:236–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomis J, Gonçalves MG, Vercher RF, Sabater C, Castillo MA, Prevot AB, Amat AM, Arques A (2015) Determination of photostability, biocompatibility and efficiency as photo-Fenton auxiliaries of three different types of soluble bio-based substances (SBO). Catal Today 252:177–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haag WR, Hoigné J, Gassman E, Braun A (1984) Singlet oxygen in surface waters—part II: quantum yields of its production by some natural humic materials as a function of wavelength. Chemosphere 13:641–650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helms JR, Stubbins A, Ritchie JD, Minor EC, Kieber DJ (2008) Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter. Limnol Oceanogr Methods 53:955–969

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korshin GV, Li CW, Benjamin MM (1997) Monitoring the properties of natural organic matter through UV spectroscopy: a consistent theory. Water Res 31:1787–1795

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larson RA, Zepp RG (1988) Reactivity of the carbonate radical with aniline derivatives. Environ Toxicol Chem 7:265–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lester Y, Sharpless CM, Mamane H, Linden KG (2013) Production of photo-oxidants by dissolved organic matter during UV water treatment. Environ Sci Technol 47:11726–11733

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe AJ, Arnold WA (2016) Seasonal and spatial variabilities in the water chemistry of prairie pothole wetlands influence the photoproduction of reactive intermediates. Chemosphere 155:640–647

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKay GJ, Rosario-Ortiz FL (2015) Temperature dependence of the photochemical formation of hydroxyl radical from dissolved organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 49:4147–4154

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKay G, Couch KD, Mezyk SP, Rosario-Ortiz FL (2016) Investigation of the coupled effects of molecular weight and charge-transfer interactions on the optical and photochemical properties of dissolved organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 50:8093–8102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKay G, Huang W, Romera-Castillo C, Crouch JE, Rosario-Ortiz FL, Jaffé R (2017) Predicting reactive intermediate quantum yields from dissolved organic matter photolysis using optical properties and antioxidant capacity. Environ Sci Technol. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b06372

  • Mostafa S, Rosario-Ortiz FL (2013) Singlet oxygen formation from wastewater organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 47:8179–8186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafa S, Korak JA, Shimabuku K, Glover CM, Rosario-Ortiz FL (2014) Relation between optical properties and formation of reactive intermediates from different size fractions of organic matter. In: Advances in the Physicochemical Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter: Impact on Natural and Engineered Systems, pp. 159–179

  • Passananti M, Temussi F, Iesce MR, Previtera L, Mailhot G, Vione D, Brigante M (2014) Photoenhanced transformation of nicotine in aquatic environments: involvement of naturally occurring radical sources. Water Res 55:106–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peixoto ALC, Teixeira ACSC (2014) Degradation of amicarbazone herbicide by photochemical processes. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 275:54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peuravouri J, Pihlaja K (1997) Molecular size distribution and spectroscopic properties of aquatic humic substances. Anal Chim Acta 337:133–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prevot AB, Fabbri D, Pramauro E, Baiocchi C, Medana C, Montoneri E, Boffa V (2010) Sensitizing effect of bio-based chemicals from urban wastes on the photodegradation of azo-dyes. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 209:224–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prevot AB, Avetta P, Fabbri D, Laurenti E, Marchis T, Perrone ME, Boffa V (2011) Waste-derived bioorganic substances for light-induced generation of reactive oxygenated species. ChemSusChem 4:85–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard C, Trubetskaya O, Trubetskoj O, Reznikova O, Afanas’eva G, Aguer JP, Guyot G (2004) Key role of the low molecular size fraction of soil humic acids for fluorescence and photoinductive activity. Environ Sci Technol 38:2052–2057

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario-Ortiz FL, Canonica S (2016) Probe compounds to assess the photochemical activity of dissolved organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 23:12532–12547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzenbach RP, Gschwend PM, Imboden DM (2003) Direct photolysis. In: Winter J 2nd (ed) Environmental organic chemistry. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 611–654

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpless CM, Aeschbacher M, Page SE, Wenk J, Sander M, McNeill K (2014) Photooxidation-induced changes in optical, electrochemical, and photochemical properties of humic substances. Environ Sci Technol 48:2688–2696

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silva MP, Mostafa S, McKay GJ, Rosario-Ortiz FL, Teixeira ACSC (2015) Environmental photochemical fate of amicarbazone in aqueous medium: laboratory measures and simulations. Environ Eng Sci 32:730–740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun L, Qian J, Blough NV, Mopper K (2015) Insights into the photoproduction sites of hydroxyl radicals by dissolved organic matter in natural waters. Environ Sc Technol Lett 2:352–356

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Twardowski MS, Boss E, Sullivan JM, Donaghay PL (2004) Modeling the spectral shape of absorption by chromophoric dissolved organic matter. Mar Chem 89:69–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016) Pesticides: health and safety. http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/human.htm, (acessed 15.03.16).

  • Vecchiato M, Argiriadis E, Zambon S, Barbante C, Toscano G, Gambaro A, Piazza R (2015) Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Antarctica: occurrence in continental and coastal surface snow. Microchem J 119:75–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vione D, Das R, Rubertelli F, Maurino CM, Barbati S, Chiron S (2010) Modelling the occurrence and reactivity of hydroxyl radicals in surface waters: implications for the fate of selected pesticides. Int J Environ Anal Chem 90:260–275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vione D, Maurino V, Minero C (2014) Photosensitised humic-like substances (HULIS) formation processes of atmospheric significance: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:11614–11622

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weishaar JL, Aiken GR, Bergamaschi BA, Fram MS, Fuji R, Mopper K (2003) Evaluation of specific ultraviolet absorbance as an indicator of the chemical composition and reactivity of dissolved organic carbon. Environ Sci Technol 37:4702–4708

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng T, Arnold WA (2013) Pesticide photolysis in prairie potholes: probing photosensitized processes. Environ Sci Technol 47:6735–6745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Yan S, Song W (2014) Photochemically induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from effluents organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 48:12645–12653

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Lian L, Yan S, Song W (2017) Insights into the photo-induced formation of reactive intermediates from effluent organic matter: the role of chemical constituents. Water Res 112:120–128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) for the financial support and also the Science without Borders Program (Process No. 12354/13-9) for the financial support during the internship at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. The authors also thank Prof. A. Arques (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain), Prof. G. Magnaca (Università di Torino, Italy), and Prof. A. Bianco Prevot (Università di Torino, Italy) for the UW-BOS samples (Marie Curie Actions—IRSES International Research Staff Exchange Scheme—269128 Project).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering Department, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, tr. 3, 380, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marcela Prado Silva, Arlen Mabel Lastre-Acosta & Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira

  2. Graduate Program on Environment and Regional Development, University of Oeste Paulista, Raposo Tavares, km 572, Bairro do Limoeiro, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marcela Prado Silva

  3. Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department, University of Colorado, 428 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

    Simón Mostafa, Garrett McKay, Karl G. Linden & Fernando L. Rosario-Ortiz

Authors
  1. Marcela Prado Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Arlen Mabel Lastre-Acosta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Simón Mostafa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Garrett McKay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Karl G. Linden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Fernando L. Rosario-Ortiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcela Prado Silva.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Vítor Pais Vilar

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 67 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Silva, M.P., Lastre-Acosta, A.M., Mostafa, S. et al. Photochemical generation of reactive intermediates from urban-waste bio-organic substances under UV and solar irradiation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 18470–18478 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9310-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9310-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation