Advanced water remediation from ofloxacin by ionizing radiation

The performances of remediation processes initiated by ionizing radiation on ofloxacin are investigated in ambient conditions. The effectiveness of the decomposition of ofloxacin has been assessed both by γ-rays and electron beam in various aqueous solutions differentiated by the dissolved gases (Air or oxygen saturated) and H2O2. By HPLC it is shown that ofloxacin is removed according to a first order process vs. dose in any system. O2 accelerates the decomposition rate, while H2O2 does not seem to enhance any oxidation effect. The simultaneous oxidative-reductive treatment (no additive) demonstrated to have better mineralizing performances than the fully oxidative one (H2O2 present). Mineralization by γ results to be more efficient than by EB. The Total Organic Carbon decrease was investigated in dependence of dose and of the •OH production rate. The latter parameter was changed over 7 orders of magnitude by controlling dose rate and/or by adding H2O2. A steep increase of acidity remarks the phases of fluorine-carbon bond break.