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Background
Learn more about problems
caused by water pollution
worldwide.
The Water Cycle
Water Pollution

Flicien Mazille (Aquasis and cewas, international centre for water

management services) , Dorothee Spuhler (seecon international gmbh)

ExecutiveSummary
Hazardousorganicwaste,widelyspreadinwaterbyindustrial,militaryand
domesticsources,isanemergingissue.AdvancedOxidationProcesses
(AOPs)areefficientmethodstoremoveorganiccontaminationnot
degradablebymeansofbiologicalprocesses.AOPsareasetofprocesses
involvingtheproductionofveryreactiveoxygenspeciesabletodestroya
widerangeoforganiccompounds.AOPsaredrivenbyexternalenergy
sourcessuchaselectricpower,ultravioletradiation(UV)orsolarlight,so
theseprocessesareoftenmoreexpensivethanconventionalbiological
wastewatertreatment.Moreover,AOPscanbeappliedforthedisinfectionof
water,airandforremediationofcontaminatedsoils.
In

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Introduction

Drinking Water, Blackwater, Greywater, Non

Drinking Water, Treated Water
biodegradable Wastewater, Energy

Introduction
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) refer to a set of oxidative water treatments that can be
used to treat toxic effluents at industrial level, hospitals and wastewater treatment plants.
AOPs are successful to transform toxic organic compounds (e.g. drugs, pesticides, endocrine
disruptors etc.) into biodegradable substances. AOPs in general are cheap to install but involve
high operating costs due to the input of chemicals and energy required (COMINELIS et al.
2008). To limit the costs, AOPs are often used as pretreatment combined with biologic
treatment (PULGARIN et al. 1999). Advanced oxidation was recently also used as quaternary
treatment or a polishing step to remove micropollutants from the effluents of municipal
wastewater treatment plants and for the disinfection of water. The combination of several
AOPs is an efficient way to increase pollutant removal and reduce costs.

Similar Tools
Find out more about other
advanced water treatment
processes.
Ozonation
H2O2
Adsorption (Activated Carbon)
Membrane Filtration

Examples of AOPs

Precedent Steps
Before using AOP, wastewater
can be treated biologically
and solids need to be
removed. Check out this:
Activated Sludge
FreeSurface CW
Horizontal Flow CW
Hybrid CW
Vertical Flow CW
UASB Reactor
Waste Stabilisation Pond
Nonplanted Filters
Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
Slow Sand Filtration
Rapid Sand Filtration
Adsorption (Activated Carbon)

Many methods are classified under the broad definition of AOPs. The table shows some of the
most studied processes. Advanced oxidation generally uses strong oxidising agents like
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or ozone (O3), catalysts (iron ions, electrodes, metal oxides) and
irradiation (UV light, solar light, ultrasounds) separately or in combination under mild
conditions (low temperature and pressure). Among different available AOPs, those driven by
light seem to be the most popular technologies for wastewater treatment as shown by the
large amount of data available in the literature (STASINAKIS 2008). Solar AOPs are particularly
attractive due to the abundance of solar light in regions where water scarcity is high and due
to their relatively low costs and high efficiencies.

Dark AOP
Ozone (O3)
Fenton (Fe2+ + H2O2)
Electrolysis (electrodes + current)
Sonolysis (Ultrasounds)

Light driven AOP

Photolysis (UV + H2O2)
Photocatalysis (light + catalyst)

Subsequent Steps
AOP produces highly pure
water that can be reused for
households, processing water
in industry or agriculture.
Learn more about water use
here:
Water Use

PhotoFenton (solar light + Fenton)

Examples of methods classified as AOPs. Source: STASINAKIS (2008)

AOP Mechanism
Advanced oxidation involves several steps schematised in the figure below and explained as
follows:

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1. Formation
of strong oxidants
(e.g. hydroxyl
radicals).
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3. Reaction of biodegradable intermediates with oxidants referred to as mineralisation (i.e.

production of water, carbon dioxide and inorganic salts).

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2. Reaction of these oxidants with organic compounds in the water (KOMMINENI et al. 2008)
producing biodegradable intermediates.

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Main steps involved in an AOPs treatment of wastewater containing toxic organic compounds. Source:
MAZILLE (2011)

Strategies to Implement AOPs

(Adapted from COMNINELLIS et al. 2008)
The costs of AOPs are relatively high and directly related to the efficiency and operational
time of the processes. It is therefore worth optimising implementation of AOPs at the right
place to limit costs. Several strategies were found to achieve this:
Simultaneous application of different AOPs promotes the rates of organics oxidation.
Typical examples include UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/TiO2, UV/Fenton and Ultrasound/UV/TiO2,
among others. These types of combinations may lead to synergetic effects when treatment
efficiencies are greater than the sum of efficiencies that could be achieved by the
individual treatments alone.
Sequential application of various AOPs can treat effluents containing a mixture of
organics. This approach is useful when the compounds in the mixture present different
levels of reactivity towards different AOPs.
Application of separation treatment prior to AOP treatment to transfer pollutants to
another phase so that they can be treated more easily. Such separation treatment includes
stripping, coagulationflocculation, sedimentation, filtration, adsorption etc.
AOPs can be applied in pretreatment stage to enhance biodegradability and to reduce
toxicity followed by biological posttreatment. This approach is based on the fact that
biological treatment is perhaps less costly and more environmentally friendly than other
destructive treatments and that complete mineralisation by AOPs incurs excessive
treatment costs.

Possible applications of ozonation and AOPs in wastewater and drinking water treatment. Source:
PETROVIC et al. (2011)

AOPs can be installed at different stages of waste (and also drinking) water treatment plants
depending on influent composition and desired effluent quality. AOPs can be installed either as
tertiary treatment after the biological (secondary) treatment of wastewater, or as pre
treatment stage in order to enhance the biodegradability of trace organic contaminants
(PETROVIC et al. 2011).

At a Glance

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Working Principle

Production of reactive oxygen species able to destroy toxic compounds

and biologic contamination in water.

Capacity/Adequacy

Hightech equipment required.

Performance

High efficiency except for few chemicals

Costs

High operation costs

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Engineers are required for the design

Generally continuous supply of chemicals (ozone, H2O2) required

Reliability

Reliable if operating conditions are scaled taking into account

wastewater content

Main strength

Destroys almost all organics without pollution transfer to another

phase

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Main weakness

Operation costs

Applicability
AOPs have a wide range of applications such as air (odour elimination, purification), soil
(remediation) and water decontamination. In water, these processes have the ability to destroy
organic pollutants but they can also be adapted to the removal of inorganic metals.
Furthermore AOPs are successful to inactivate bacteria, viruses etc. Different kinds of water
are therefore suitable for an AOP treatment: for example industrial wastewater containing
toxic compounds can be treated by solar photoFenton; surface or ground water can be
disinfected by means of improved solar water disinfection by adding H2O2 (see also H2O2 and
SODIS); both bacteria in drinking water plants or micropollutants in sewage systems can be
degraded using ozonation; Dissolved arsenic can be removed from water by coprecipitation by
means of simple methods (GENORI et al. 2009) in presence of iron (see also arsenic removal
technologies).

Advantages
Destroys toxic organic compounds without pollution transfer to another phase
Very efficient to treat almost all organic pollutants and remove some toxic metals
Works also for water disinfection
Cheap to install
Adaptable to small scales in developing countries

Disadvantages
Relatively high operation costs due to chemicals and/or energy input
Formation of oxidation intermediates potentially toxic
Engineers are required for the design and often also for operation
Emerging technologies (still a lot of research is required)

References
COMNINELLIS, C.; KAPALKA, A.; MALATO, S.; PARSON, S.A.; POULIOS, L.; MANTZAVINOS, D.
(2008): Perspective Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment: Advanced and Trends
for R&D. In: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 83, 769776. URL [Accessed:
21.06.2001].
GENORI, J.N.; BOWELL, R.J.; DEY, M.; SAPSFORD, J.; WILLIAMS, K.P. (2009): Removal of Arsenic
(III) from Contaminated Waters using Iron (II) and Citrate. In: Proceeding of Securing the Future
and 8th ICARD Skelleftea. URL [Accessed: 25.07.2011].
KOMMINENI, S.; ZOECKLER, J.; STOCKING, A.; LIANG, S.; FLORES, A.; KAVANAUGH, M. (2008):
Advanced Oxidation Processes. In: National Water Research Institute. URL [Accessed:
21.06.2011].
PETROVIC, M.; RADJENOVIC, J.; BARCELO, D. (2011): Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
applied for wastewater and drinking water treatment. Elimination of pharmaceuticals. In: The
Holistic Approach to Environment 1, 6374. URL [Accessed: 20.07.2011].
PULGARIN, C.; INVERNIZZI, M.; PARRA, S.; SARRIA, V.; PLANIA, R.; PERINGER, P. (1999):
Strategy for the coupling of photochemical and biological flows reactors useful in
mineralization of biorecalcitrant industrial pollutants. In: Catalysis Today 2, 341352.
STASINAKIS, A.S. (2008): Use of Selected Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for Wastewater
Treatment A Mini Review. In: Global NEST journal 10, 376385. URL [Accessed: 21.06.2011].

FurtherReadings
ADEL, A. K.; AZNI, I.; KATAYON, S.; CHUAH, T.G. (2004): Treatment
of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes A Review.
In: Global Nest: the International Journal General Information 6,
222230. URL [Accessed: 07.09.2011]. PDF
This review article focuses on the treatment of textile
wastewaters by means of different AOPs.

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ELMOLLA E. S.; CHAUDHURI, M. (2010): Comparison of Different

Advanced Oxidation Processes for Treatment of Antibiotic Aqueous
Solution . In: Desalination 256, 4347. URL [Accessed: 08.09.2011].
PDF
This study compares the treatment of antibiotic aqueous solutions
by different light assisted AOPs from a technical and economic
point of view.

MOFIDI, A. A.; MIN, J. H.; PALENCIA, L.S.; COFFEY, B. M.; GREEN, J.

F. (2002): Advanced Oxidation Processes and UV Photolysis for
Treatment of Drinking Water. In: California Energy Commission. URL
[Accessed: 07.09.2011]. PDF
This document describes an investigation where the combination of
UV light and ozone is used to degrade micropollutants in drinking
water.

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MOTA, A. L. N.; ALBUQUERQUE, L.F.; BELTRAME, L.T.C.; CHIAVONE

FILHO, A.; MACHULEK JR., A.; NASCIMENTO, C.A.O. (2008):
Advanced Oxidation Processes and their Application in the
Petroleum Industry: A review. In: Brazilian Journal of Petroleum and
Gas 2, 122142. URL [Accessed: 08.09.2011]. PDF
This paper describes a series of AOPs, analysing the aspects related
to each type of process, such as the interference of external agents
and the ideal operating conditions, based on the analysis and
comparison of different studies in the area. In addition, several
applied AOP studies on treatment of oil wastewater and on
remediation of soil contaminated with oil or its derivatives are
presented.
MUNTEN, R. (2001): Advanced Oxidation Processes Current Status
and Prospects. In: Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Science.
Chemistry 50, 5880. URL [Accessed: 07.09.2011]. PDF
The paper provides an overview of theoretical basis, efficiency,
economics, laboratory and pilot plant testing; design and modelling
of different advanced oxidation processes (combinations of ozone
and hydrogen peroxide with UV radiation and catalysts).

SELCUK, H.; NADDEO, V.; BELGIONO, V. (2007): Advanced Treatment

by Ozonation and Sonolysis for Domestic Wastewater Reuse. In:
Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Environmental
Science and Technology. URL [Accessed: 08.09.2011]. PDF
This publication describes the combination of ozone and
ultrasounds for the disinfection and discoloration of domestic
wastewater treatment plant effluents for reuse purposes.

MOHAJERANI, M.; MEHRVAR, M.; EINMOZAFFARI, F.E. (2009): An

Overview of the Integration of Advanced Oxidation Technologies and
Other Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment. In:
International Journal of environmental engineering 3, 120146. URL
[Accessed: 08.09.2011]. PDF
In this review, recent achievements, developments and trends
(20032009) on the integration of advanced oxidation technologies
and other remediation methods are presented. Selecting the right
AOP is discussed taking into account the characteristics of the
waste stream, environmental regulations, and cost.
ADEL, A. K.; AZNI, I.; KATAYON, S.; CHUAH, T.G. (2004): Treatment
of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes A Review.
In: Global Nest: the International Journal General Information 6,
222230. URL [Accessed: 07.09.2011]. PDF
This review article focuses on the treatment of textile
wastewaters by means of different AOPs.

CaseStudies
MALATO, S. (2007): Waste Water Treatment by Advanced Oxidation
Processes (Solar Photocatalysis in Degradation of Industrial
Contaminants). Plataforma Solar de AlmeriaCIEMAT . URL
[Accessed: 20.07.2011]. PDF
Saline industrial wastewater containing nonbiodegradable
compounds (amethylphenylglycine) can be treated by a photo
Fenton process. However, in order to reduce the treatment costs,
the AOP can be coupled with a biologic treatment as soon as water
is biodegradable.
MARGOT, J.; MAGNET, A.; THONNEY, D.; CHEVRE, N.; ALENCASTRO,

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F. de; ROSSI, L. SSWM

(2011): Traitement
des Micropolluants
les Eaux
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UsesRapport Final sur les Essais Pilotes a la STEP de Vidy
(Lausanne). In: Ed. Ville de Lausanne . URL [Accessed: 25.07.2011].
PDF
This document presents the results of a pilot study aiming at
removing water micropollutants at the Lausanne (Switzerland)
wastewater treatment plant.

AwarenessRaisingMaterial
MULLER, N.; NOWACK, B.; OY, S.; SAARI, J. (2010): Photocatalysis
for Water Treatment. In: ObservatoryNANO Briefings. URL
[Accessed: 08.09.2011]. PDF
This document outlines the social and economical relevance of
photocatalysis, provides background information on the technology,
and highlights further challenges to be addressed.

TrainingMaterial

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TrainingMaterial
EPA (Editor) (1998): Handbook of Advanced Photochemical
Oxidation Processes. United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). URL [Accessed: 07.09.2011]. PDF
This handbook summarises commercialscale system performance
and cost data for advanced photochemical oxidation treatment of
contaminated water, air and solids.

HULLEBUSCH E.D. van; OTURAN, M.A. (2011): Use of Advanced

Oxidation Processes to Improve the Biodegradability of Landfill
Leachates. In: Summer School: Biological and Thermal Treatment of
Municipal Solid Waste, Napoli. URL [Accessed: 08.09.2011]. PDF
Presentation on landfill leachate treatment by coupled biological
and electrochemical processes.

ImportantWeblinks
http://www.frtr.gov/ [Accessed: 30.09.2011]
This website gives an overview of applicability, limitations and costs of UV oxidation.
http://www.photocatalysisfederation.eu/ [Accessed: 30.09.2011]
This is the homepage of European photocatalysis federation.

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