ENVR 145

Research progress in the use of potassium ferrate(VI) for oxidation of endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals in water

Virender K. Sharma, vsharma@fit.edu, Department of Chemistry, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 33149

Potassium ferrate(VI) (K₂FeO₄) has advantageous properties such as a dual function as an oxidant and disinfectant with a non-toxic byproduct, iron(III), which makes it an environmentally friendly chemical for water treatment. An assessment of the potential of ferrate(VI) to oxidize representative endocrine disruptors (EDs) and pharmaceuticals in water is presented. The second-order rate constants, k, of the oxidation reactions at neutral pH are in the range from 6.50–11.8x10² M^-1s^-1 and 0.79–15.0x10² M^-1s^-1 for most of the EDs and pharmaceuticals, respectively. At a 10 mg/L K₂FeO₄ dose, half-lives of the oxidation reaction would be in seconds at a neutral pH. Current information about reaction products of the oxidation will be briefly discussed. Overall, ferrate(VI) oxidation could be an effective treatment method for the purification of waters containing EDs and antimicrobials.

Advances in Abiotic Transformation Processes for Micropollutants in Drinking Water and for Sourcewater Protection
1:30 PM-5:10 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 237, Oral

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008