An investigation into advanced oxidation of three chlorophenoxy pesticides in surface water

The performance of Fenton's reagent in removing 2,4-D, MCPA and mecoprop from surface water has been evaluated here. Initial trials were undertaken at a pesticide concentration of 4.5 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) in deionised water at pH 3 and two different stoichiometric ratios of pesticide: Fe(II): H(2)O(2) (1:1:10, 1:10:10) were evaluated. At the 1:1:10 ratio, approximately 10 minutes were required to achieve a 50% removal of the pesticide. At the higher ratio the removal achieved after 1 minute, was >90%. Subsequent experiments studied the performance of Fenton (4.5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) Fe(II): 4.5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) H(2)O(2)) in surface water spiked with pesticides and the impact of pH on the rate and degree of pesticide degradation was investigated. The removal was significantly improved at pH 3 in comparison to pH 6.5. The effect of Fenton on DOC removal from surface water was followed. Experiments investigated the performance of Fenton at pesticide concentrations of 7.5 x 10(-9) mol l(-1) in surface water. Fenton was shown to be an effective treatment for removing low levels of pesticides from surface waters at pH 3 & 4.