Degradation of 1,2,3-trichloropropane by ferrate(VI) oxidant: Mechanisms, influencing factors and oxidative iron species

Jiarui Zheng; Peng Guo; Wenxia Wei; Wenpeng Leng; Jiajia Wang; Ji Zhang; Liqin Zhi; Yun Song

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177824

Degradation of 1,2,3-trichloropropane by ferrate(VI) oxidant: Mechanisms, influencing factors and oxidative iron species

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Dec 5:958:177824. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177824. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jiarui Zheng¹, Peng Guo², Wenxia Wei³, Wenpeng Leng¹, Jiajia Wang¹, Ji Zhang¹, Liqin Zhi¹, Yun Song¹

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Key Laboratory of Remediation of Industrial Pollution Sites, Institute of Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100095, China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Remediation of Industrial Pollution Sites, Institute of Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100095, China. Electronic address: guopeng_nj@163.com.
³ Beijing Key Laboratory of Remediation of Industrial Pollution Sites, Institute of Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100095, China. Electronic address: liepi_wwx@163.com.

PMID: 39642618
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177824

Abstract

The ferrate(VI) ion is a green, versatile oxidant employed eliminate organic contaminants. Research on the degradation of saturated chlorinated hydrocarbons such as 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), by Fe(VI) is limited. In this study, we investigated the degradation of 1,2,3-TCP by Fe(VI). Four oxidants (Fe(VI), sodium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate) were also used, among which only Fe(VI) could degrade 96 % and 91 % of 1,2,3-TCP (0.33 mM) in pure- and polluted-water samples, respectively, within 4 days. During degradation, the intermediate product 2,3-dichloropropylene (2,3-DCP) was formed. The main mechanisms of 1,2,3-TCP and 2,3-DCP degradation by Fe(VI) were alkaline hydrolysis and oxidation, respectively. A higher 1,2,3-TCP degradation efficiency was achieved in an alkaline environment than in acidic or neutral environment. The reaction rate for 2,3-DCP was high at pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0, and the final degradation efficiency increased at pH 8.0-9.0. Electron paramagnetic resonance and radical quenching experiments confirmed that the dominant intermediate ferrate species (Fe(IV) and Fe(V)) were responsible for the 2,3-DCP oxidation. NH₄⁺, Cu²⁺, CO₃^2-, HCO₃^- and humic acid (HA) tended to inhibit the degradation of 2,3-DCP by Fe(VI). Meanwhile, the degradation of 1,2,3-TCP was slightly affected by HA, although it was considerably affected by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. This study shows the great application potential of Fe(VI) in pump and treat systems for the ex-situ elimination of high-concentration chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Keywords: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane; 2,3-Dichloropropylene; Degradation products; Ferrate(VI); Reaction kinetics.