[en] A study on the decomposition of a surfactant (SDBS) and of four emerging pollutants (ofloxacin, carbamazepine, benzophenone-3, benzophenenone-4) in a multicomponent system is presented. These pollutants are decomposed in water by a few types of Advanced Oxidation Processes. The remediation methods included UV and γ-rays, all running in atmospheric conditions. It is shown that UV degradation methods can be improved by adding a photocatalyst (TiO₂), or a radical mediator (H₂O₂). The processes were monitored step by step, by determining the concentration of pollutants by UV, HPLC and a specific surfactant selective kit, and measuring the total organic carbon content. (author)

[en] 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. - Highlights: • The oxidative-reductive and solely-oxidative decompositions show similar efficiencies. • The mid range intermediates of a typical AOP are refractory to mineralization. • Both decomposition and mineralization processes fit a first order dependence on dose. • Fluorine-carbon bond is retained in earlier ofloxacin fragments. • EB mineralization is sluggish due to anoxic conditions.