Degradation of ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole in water using an ozonation/persulfate system under solar irradiation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Pharmaceutical contaminants such as ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) pose global risks due to their inadequate removal by conventional wastewater treatment plants. This study evaluates their degradation using O3/PS AOPs under solar irradiation in a 15 L reactor. Key operational parameters were systematically evaluated. Ozonation achieved 98% CIP degradation at an ozone dosage of 65.04 mg L−1, following pseudo-first-order kinetics with apparent rate constant (Kapp = 0.06362 min⁻¹). Degradation efficiencies decreased with increasing pollutant concentration and under acidic conditions: 10 mg L−1 CIP achieved 99% degradation, whereas 20 mg L−1 resulted in 93%, while 15 mg L−1 SMX achieved 94% and 60 mg L−1 achieved 83% degradation. At pH 2, CIP and SMX degradation declined to 73% and 65%, respectively. The addition of 0.045 mmol L−1 PS enhanced performance, achieving 90% CIP degradation within 15 min, eliminating the fluorescence signal of CIP. The combined O3/PS system exhibited a higher rate constant (Kapp = 0.08615 min⁻¹) than either oxidant alone. Radical scavenging experiments identified hydroxyl and sulfate radicals as the dominant species. A preliminary cost analysis estimated a chemical cost of $0.0009 L⁻¹. Overall, the O₃/PS system demonstrated high efficiency and adaptability for solar-assisted antibiotic removal in water treatment.
Institution: University of South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7155049871