Study of the toxicity of diuron and its metabolites formed in aqueous medium during application of the electrochemical advanced oxidation process "electro-Fenton".

摘要: Abstract Diuron (N′-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-N,N-dimethylurea) is a herbicide belonging to the phenylurea family, widely used destroy weeds on uncultivated surfaces. Because of its toxicity for aquatic organisms and suspicion being carcinogenic humans, diuron object growing environmental concern. Therefore, we have developed electro-Fenton method, an electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP), degrade in aqueous medium, studied evolution treated solution during process. Indeed, EAOPs catalytically generate hydroxyl radicals that oxidize persistent organic pollutants, can ultimately mineralize them. But, sometimes, relatively toxic metabolites are formed reaction. In this work, solutions was at different initial concentrations, treatment by method. Samples were collected various electrolysis times mineralization degrees treatment. The samples measured using bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox) green alga Scenedesmus obliquus. Our results demonstrated (concentrations = 3.0–27.6 mg L−1) varied considerably with time. formation disappearance several metabolites, having often stronger than herbicide, observed. To improve efficiency water decontamination, method should be applied time long enough (several hours) high current (I = 250 mA) reach nearly complete medium.