AOP Performance at Wastewater Treatment Plants: Recent Developments

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are chemical treatment techniques used to remove contaminants from water and wastewater using hydroxyl radical reactions. AOPs are efficient methods to remove organic contamination not degradable by means of biological processes. AOPs are a set of treatment processes involving the production of very reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicals able to destroy a wide range of organic compounds. This paper examines selected recent studies involving AOP’s application for wastewater treatment. Discussions of selected reviews and summaries of results from recent reports in the technical literature are provided below. Brief descriptions of the most popular AOPs are also provided. In addition, nano zero-valent iron systems (nZVI) for degrading organic contaminants are briefly examined. Performance data is provided where available or relevant. Of particular interest are treatments for emerging contaminants. Multiple studies involving remediation of wastewater contaminated by emerging contaminants by AOP’s and nZVI systems are reviewed.