Title: Solar photoreactor: application in the recalcitrance and toxicity reduction of old leachate by photo-Fenton

Authors: Mariana Medeiros Batista; Elisângela Maria Rodrigues Rocha; Arthur Marinho Cahino; Elson Santos Da Silva; Romildo Henriques Dos Anjos Júnior; Cláudia De Oliveira Cunha

Addresses: Institute of Exact Science and Technology, Federal University of Amazonas, 69103-128, Itacoatiara, AM, Brazil ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Technology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Technology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Technology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil ' Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Technology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil ' Chemistry Department, Exact and Nature Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

Abstract: This research evaluated the applicability of a solar photoreator using the photo-Fenton process to reduce the old leachate recalcitrance from the biological treatment system of the Metropolitan Sanitary Landfill of João Pessoa, Brazil. The operational variables, such as flow rate and reaction time were initially investigated in the photoreactor. Then, the test was carried out under defined conditions: pH (2.8), [Fe²⁺] (0.257 g.L^-1), [H₂O₂] (9.42 g.L^-1), volumetric flow rate (35 L.s^-1) and reaction time (60 minutes). The results showed high colour removal (94.4%), COD (81.7%), aromatic compounds, in terms of absorbance at 254 nm (87.1%) and 280 nm (87.74%), as well as a threefold increase in biodegradability (BOD₅/COD) of the phototreated effluent. The phytotoxicity of the leachate in the Lactuca sativa (lettuce), in terms of median effective concentration (EC₅₀) was reduced by 76%. It can be concluded that photoreactor was efficient using the solar photo-Fenton process, being available alternative for the leachate post-treatment.

Keywords: sanitary landfill leachate; pilot-scale photoreactor; advanced oxidation; photo-Fenton; solar radiation; Lactuca sativa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.121228

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2022 Vol.29 No.2, pp.133 - 148

Received: 17 Aug 2019
Accepted: 17 Jan 2020
Published online: 01 Mar 2022 *

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