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Epoxiconazole degradation in water samples: a comparative study of Fenton, photo-Fenton, solar photo-Fenton, and solar photolysis processes

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Abstract

Epoxiconazole (EPO) is classified as a persistent organic pollutant due to its ability to persist in the environment for prolonged periods. Its degradation is pivotal in mitigating its environmental impact. This investigation focuses on assessing the degradation of EPO using various methodologies, namely Fenton, photo-Fenton, solar photo-Fenton, and solar photolysis, conducted in both Milli-Q water and groundwater. These experiments encompassed evaluations at both the standard pH typically used in photo-Fenton reactions and the natural pH levels inherent to the respective aqueous environments. Additionally, EPO degradation products were analyzed after a 60-min reaction. Notably, in systems utilizing groundwater, the inclusion of additional iron was unnecessary, as the naturally occurring iron content in the groundwater facilitated the intended processes. Specifically, in Milli-Q water, solar photo-Fenton demonstrated an EPO degradation efficiency of 97%. Furthermore, the substitution of Milli-Q water with groundwater in Fenton-like processes did not significantly affect the efficacy of EPO degradation. These findings underscore the potential of solar photo-Fenton as an economically viable and environmentally sustainable strategy for EPO degradation.

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Data availability

The authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the paper and its Supplementary Information files. Should any raw data files be needed in another format they are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express our gratitude to the Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica of Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (SECyT-UNRC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT), all based in Argentina, for their generous financial support. In addition, the authors would like to thank JLA Argentina S.A. for allowing the use of their facilities and equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud (IDAS). CONICET – UNRC. Depto. De Química – FCEF-QyN - Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Argentina

    Julieta L. Sacchetto, Leandro Fuentes Medina, Sandra Miskoski, José Natera, Cristian M. O. Lépori & Walter A. Massad

  2. JLA Argentina S.A, 5809, General Cabrera, Argentina

    Karina I. Toledo, Yamile Jalit & Cristian M. O. Lépori

  3. Instituto de Investigación en Micología y Micotoxicología (IMICO). CONICET – UNRC, Río Cuarto, Argentina

    Silvana C. Plem

  4. Depto. de Estudios Básicos y Agropecuarios - Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria – Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Argentina

    Eduardo A. Gatica, Sandra Miskoski & José Natera

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  1. Julieta L. Sacchetto
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Correspondence to Walter A. Massad.

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Sacchetto, J.L., Medina, L.F., Toledo, K.I. et al. Epoxiconazole degradation in water samples: a comparative study of Fenton, photo-Fenton, solar photo-Fenton, and solar photolysis processes. Photochem Photobiol Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-024-00582-x

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