Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

A Complete Method for Evaluating the Performance of Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Antibiotics in Environmental Remediation
Published on: October 6, 2022
Oxidative degradation of pyrene in contaminated soils by δ-MnO2 with or without sunlight irradiation
S W Chang Chien1, C H Chang, S H Chen
1Chaoyang University of Technology, Wufong Township, Taichung County 41349, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
The enhanced oxidative degradation of pyrene in quartz sand and alluvial and red soils by micro-nano size birnessite (δ-MnO(2)) in the presence and absence of sunlight was investigated. The degradation of pyrene by δ-MnO(2) in quartz sand showed very little synergistic effect of sunlight irradiation on δ-MnO(2) oxidizing power. However, pyrene degradation by δ-MnO(2) in alluvial and red soils was greater under solar irradiation than the combination of photooxidation of pyrene and oxidation of pyrene by δ-MnO(2). The oxidative degradation percentages of pyrene by δ-MnO(2) under sunlight irradiation are 94.8, 97.7, and 100% for alluvial soil, red soil, and quartz sand, respectively. Oxidative degradation percentages of pyrene by δ-MnO(2) in alluvial and red soils with irradiation of sunlight almost attained a maximum at 1 h with a 5% (w/w) dose of the amended oxidant. Due to their different total organic carbon (TOC) contents, the sequence of enhanced oxidative degradation of pyrene by δ-MnO(2) in quartz sand and alluvial and red soils was quartz sand>red soil>alluvial soil. Further, this study revealed that δ-MnO(2)-enhanced oxidative degradation of pyrene is very pronounced in contaminated soils in situ even at deep soil layers where irradiation by sunlight is very limited.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols
Radical Autoxidation
Acid Mine Drainage
Bioremediation
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
