Comparative studies of transformation behaviors and mechanisms of halophenols in multiple chemical oxidative systems

Due to wide applications, halophenols (HPs), especially bromophenols, chlorophenols, and fluorophenols, are commonly detected but resistant to biological removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated the overall transformation behaviors of three representative HPs (2,4-dichlorophenol: 24-DCP, 2,4-dibromophenol: 24-DBP, 2,4-difluorophenol: 24-DFP) in six chemical oxidative systems (KMnO₄, K₂FeO₄, NaClO, O₃, UV, and persulfate (PS)). The results revealed fast removal of selected HPs by O₃, PS and K₂FeO₄, while a large discrepancy in their removal efficiencies occurred under UV irradiation, KMnO₄ oxidation and particularly chlorination. Based on the analysis of the identified intermediates and products, coupling among the five routes was the general route, and dimers were the main intermediates for HP oxidation. The effect of the halogen atom on the transformation pathways of HPs was highly reaction type dependent. Among the six chemical treatments, PS could induce HPs to yield relatively low-molecular-weight polymers and obtain the highest coupling degree. Transition state (TS) calculations showed that the H atom linked to the phenoxy group of HPs was the most easily abstracted by hydroxyl radicals to form the coupling precursor, i.e., phenoxy radicals. This high coupling behavior further resulted in the increased toxicity to green algae. Characterization revealed that HP reaction solutions treated with PS had a severely negative effect on algae growth, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, and the antioxidant enzyme system. These findings can shed light on the reaction mechanisms of advanced oxidation technologies and some risk management and control of PS technique may be considered when treating phenolic pollutants.