Kinetics of phototransformation of emerging contaminants in aqueous solution
The photodecomposition of some emerging organic pollutants (4 hormones: estradiol, ethynylestradiol, progesterone, testosterone; and 2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: diclofenac and naproxen) has been investigated in dilute aqueous solution. The photolysis experiments were carried out under monochromatic irradiation (254 nm) and under polychromatic irradiation (λ > 280 nm). The calculated quantum yields of photodecomposition under monochromatic irradiations were low (between 0.02 and 0.08) except for diclofenac for which the value was about 0.30. The influence of oxygen concentration was also examined and the removal yields of these compounds under the conditions used for the UV-disinfection of drinking water at 254 nm were estimated.