Degradation and mineralization of ofloxacin by ozonation and peroxone (O₃/H₂O₂) process

The degradation and mineralization of ofloxacin (OFX) by ozonation and peroxone process (O₃/H₂O₂) was investigated. The influence of operational conditions and inorganic anions on the mineralization of OFX were also studied. Results showed that OFX could be rapidly oxidized by both O₃ alone and O₃/H₂O₂ process. The mineralization of OFX was significantly enhanced (55%) in peroxone process, compared with that in ozonation alone (30%). The direct oxidation of OFX by ozone molecules might account for the degradation of OFX in both ozonation and peroxone process, whereas, in the presence of H₂O₂, the improvement of the ozone decomposition and the formation of OH radicals were responsible for enhancing OFX mineralization. The applied dosage of H₂O₂ and O₃ was important for the performance of peroxone process in OFX mineralization. The addition of HCO₃^- and PO₄^3- enhanced OFX mineralization, while the presence of Cl^- and NO₃^- had negative effect on OFX mineralization in both ozonation and peroxone processes. Ozonation process might be a promising technology for the degradation of OFX, while the combination process of O₃/H₂O₂ could be an effective method for the improvement of the mineralization of refractory organic pollutants.