Degradation of florfenicol in water by UV/Na2S2O8 process

UV irradiation-activated sodium persulfate (UV/PS) was studied to degrade florfenicol (FLO), a phenicol antibiotic commonly used in aquaculture, in water. Compared with UV/H2O2 process, UV/PS process achieves a higher FLO degradation efficiency, greater mineralization, and less cost. The quantum yield for direct photolysis of FLO and the second-order rate constant of FLO with sulfate radicals were determined. The effects of various factors, namely PS concentration, anions (NO3−, Cl−, and HCO3−), ferrous ion, and humic acid (HA), on FLO degradation were investigated. The results showed that the pseudo-first-order rate constant increased linearly with increased PS concentration. The tested anions all adversely affected FLO degradation performance with the order of HCO3− > Cl− > NO3−. Coexisting ferrous ions enhanced FLO degradation at a Fe2+/PS molar ratio under 1:1. HA significantly inhibited FLO degradation due to radical scavenging and light-screening effect. Toxicity assessment showed that it is capable of controlling the toxicity for FLO degradation. These findings indicated that UV/PS is a promising technology for water polluted by antibiotics, and the treatment is optimized only after the impacts of water characteristics are carefully considered.