Title: Sonochemical degradation of Congo Red

Authors: Srinivas Sistla, Suresh Chintalapati

Addresses: Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Center, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500007, India; Department of Protein Chemistry and Technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, India. ' Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500007, India; The Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA

Abstract: Ultrasound irradiation was found to be effective in treatment of refractory pollutants. The present communication reports ultrasound treatment of Congo Red (CR). The CR degradation by ultrasonic waves (50 kHz) was investigated at 25°C. After sonication for 60 min, the CR concentration gradually decreased from 100 mg/L to 27.7 mg/L. pH of the sonicated CR solution decreased from 6.8 to 4.2. Oxygen uptake rate demonstrated higher uptake of oxygen by microbia in the case of the sonicated sample. There is 68% chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency after ultrasound treatment. The combination of ultrasound and biodegradation in treatment of CR is studied here.

Keywords: aerial oxidation; biodegradation; Congo Red; oxygen uptake; ultrasound irradiation; sonochemical degradation; refractory pollutants; environmental pollution; advanced oxidation processes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2008.018251

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.309 - 319

Published online: 13 May 2008 *

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