Mechanisms for simultaneous ozonation of sulfamethoxazole and natural organic matters in secondary effluent from sewage treatment plant

Highlights

• SMX was mainly degraded by hydrolysis, isoxazole oxidation and double-bond addition.

• Isoxazole oxidation and bond addition products were formed by direct ozonation.

• Hydroxylated products were produced by indirect oxidation.

• NOM mainly affected the degradation of SMX by consuming ^•OH rather than O₃.

• Inhibitory effect of NOM on SMX removal was related to the components’ aromaticity.

Abstract

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is commonly detected in wastewater and cannot be completely decomposed during conventional treatment processes. Ozone (O₃) is often used in water treatment. This study explored the influence of natural organic matters (NOM) in secondary effluent of a sewage treatment plant on the ozonation pathways of SMX. The changes in NOM components during ozonation were also analyzed. SMX was primarily degraded by hydrolysis, isoxazole-ring opening, and double-bond addition, whereas hydroxylation was not the principal route given the low maximum abundances of the hydroxylated products, with m/z of 269 and 287. The hydroxylation process occurred mainly through indirect oxidation because the maximum abundances of the products reduced by about 70% after the radical quencher was added, whereas isoxazole-ring opening and double-bond addition processes mainly depended on direct oxidation, which was unaffected by the quencher. NOM mainly affected the degradation of micropollutants by consuming ^•OH rather than O₃ molecules, resulting in the 63%–85% decrease in indirect oxidation products. The NOM in the effluent were also degraded simultaneously during ozonation, and the components with larger aromaticity were more likely degraded through direct oxidation. The dependences of the three main components of NOM in the effluent on indirect oxidation followed the sequence: humic-like substances>fluvic-like substances>protein-like substances. This study reveals the ozonation mechanism of SMX in secondary effluent and provides a theoretical basis for the control of SMX and its degradation products in actual water treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Sulfamethoxazole / Ozonation / Natural organic matters / Secondary effluent / Degradation mechanism

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Project (No. 2019YFD1100204). The experimental supporting by National Environmental and Energy Base for International Science & Technology Cooperation was greatly appreciated.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1367-1 and is accessible for authorized users.

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