Abstract
This is the premier study reporting the remediation of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) contaminated sediment by a surfactant-enhanced Fenton-like system. Three widely used non-ionic surfactants were tested, and the order for desorption and solubilization of DEHP was determined as Tween 80 > Triton X-100 > Brij 35. The degradation of DEHP was studied at a near natural pH of 6.0 by two Fenton treatments: (i) Fe3+/H2O2 and (ii) Fe3+/PCA/H2O2. Results show that the addition of PCA can significantly enhance DEHP removal from 48.9% to 92.5%. This is consistent with observation that PCA maintained at a relative high level of iron ions, which can catalyze H2O2 to generate the reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH). Most of the added Tween 80 and a portion of OM were co-oxidized together with DEHP due to the non-selective nature of OH, which leaded to an increase in DOC content and decreases in sediment pH and total N content. The results provide an efficient and eco-friendly technique for the remediation of DEHP contaminated sediment, and also give insight to its environmental implications.
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•A surfactant-enhanced Fenton-like process was used to degrade DEHP in sediment.•The order for desorption of DEHP was found as Tween 80 > Triton X-100 > Brij 35.•The addition of PCA can significantly enhance DEHP removal from 48.9% to 92.5%.•Most of the added Tween 80 and a portion of OM were co-oxidized together with DEHP.