Original scientific paper
Published in: Holistic Approach Environ. 5(2015) 3, pp. 127 – 139
Paper reference number: HAE-127
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DEGRADATION OF NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER IN WATER BY USING UV-C/H₂O₂ PROCESS

Hrvoje Juretić^*, Goran Smoljanić^*, Marija Barta^*

^* Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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ABSTRACT

This laboratory study evaluated the ultraviolet (UV) photolysis, H₂O₂ treatment and UV-C/H₂O₂ advanced oxidation for the degradation of natural organic matter (NOM) in raw groundwater having high alkalinity and elevated dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. The treatment efficiency was evaluated in terms of the reduction of DOC and UV absorbance at 254 nm (A₂₅₄). UV photolysis and H₂O₂ oxidation as standalone treatments were not effective at reducing DOC but the rate of DOC reduction increased markedly when H₂O₂ was combined with UV-C radiation. At the optimal H₂O₂ dose of 500 mg L^-1, UV-C/ H₂O₂ treatment resulted in approximately 92 % A₂₅₄ reduction and more than 83 % DOC removal. Hydrogen carbonate and carbonate ions inhibited the degradation process.

Keywords: natural organic matter, UV photolysis, UV-C/ H₂O₂ treatment
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