Neste trabalho estudou-se o uso do ferro de valência zero em meio redutivo e oxidativo, a fim de desenvolver um processo que promova tanto a degradação quanto a mineralização de substâncias orgânicas com centros deficientes de elétrons, como, por exemplo, espécies que contêm o grupo nitro ligado ao anel aromático. O processo de degradação empregando-se ferro metálico, em ambos os meios estudados, apresentou grande eficiência no tratamento do p-nitrofenol, utilizado como poluente modelo. Para soluções contendo concentração inicial de p-nitrofenol igual a 100 mg L-1, tanto para o meio redutivo quanto para o oxidativo, em condições ótimas, as taxas de degradação obtidas foram superiores a 98% ao final de 15 minutos de tratamento. Para o meio com atmosfera oxidante, foi possível observar a geração de H2O2 in situ (cerca de 0,030 mmol L-1, em 45 minutos), proporcionando uma reação do tipo Fenton. Dessa forma, foi possível obter uma redução do teor de carbono orgânico dissolvido de cerca de 20%, em 60 minutos de reação. A fim de elevar a taxa de mineralização do p-nitrofenol, realizou-se a integração dos processos redutivo e oxidativo. O emprego deste sistema de tratamento proporcionou um aumento de 100% na redução do teor de carbono orgânico dissolvido, para o mesmo tempo de tratamento. Assim, pode-se inferir que a associação dos processos estudados levou à formação de substâncias mais susceptíveis ao ataque de agentes oxidantes. Por fim, avaliou-se o emprego de ferro de valência zero sintetizado via redução de íons Fe2+ por boridreto de sódio. Utilizando-se o sistema de tratamento integrado, este material proporcionou uma taxa de mineralização de cerca de 50%, demonstrando-se como uma boa alternativa para a obtenção do ferro de valência zero. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que o sistema integrado apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável e eficiente, com grande potencial de aplicabilidade para o tratamento de substâncias recalcitrantes aos processos de tratamento convencionais, uma vez que apresentou bons resultados na degradação/mineralização da substância modelo. / In this work, we studied the use of zero-valent iron under reductive and oxidative medium, in order to develop a process that promotes the degradation and the mineralization of organic substances with deficient electron centers, such as nitroaromatic compounds. In both mediums, the degradation process promoted by the metallic iron showed good efficiency to degrade p-itrophenol, used as pollutant model. For solutions of p-nitrophenol with initial concentration of 100 mg L-1, degradation percentages were above 98% after 15 minutes of the treatment in reductive and oxidative mediums (optimal conditions). Under oxidant atmosphere, the in situ generation of H2O2 (about 0,030 mmol L-1, in 45 minutes) leaded to a Fenton-like reaction. So, it provided a reduction of total organic carbon levels up to 20% in 60 minutes. In order to raise the mineralization of p-nitrophenol, the reductive and oxidative processes were integrated. The used of this treatment system provided an increase of 100% in the reduction of the dissolved organic carbon, for the same treatment time. Thus, we can in infer that the association of the two processes led to the formation of more susceptible substances to the attack of oxidant agents. Finally, it was evaluated the use zero-valent iron synthesized through reduction of Fe2+ ions by NaBH4. The obtained material provided about 50% of p-nitrophenol mineralization, showing to be a good source of zero-valent iron. So, it can be concluded that the use of the integrated system is a viable and efficient alternative, with a great potential of applicability for the treatment of recalcitrants substances to the conventional treatment processes, because it presented good results in the degradation/mineralization of studied pollutant model.

A racionalização dos recursos hídricos tem sido uma das metas das indústrias em vários setores. Tais metas exigem inovações tecnológicas tanto para novos processos produtivos quanto para novas técnicas de tratamento e reutilização de água na cadeia de produção. Os custos elevados de água industrial no Brasil, particularmente nas regiões metropolitanas, têm estimulado as indústrias nacionais a avaliar as possibilidades de reúso. O objetivo deste trabalho é a aplicação do tratamento de águas de processo contendo polipropileno utilizando radiação ultravioleta e peróxido de hidrogênio, isto é, o sistema UV/H2O2, visando adequá-las para reúso no próprio processo, reduzindo a necessidade de captação de água pré-tratada e de descarte de efluente. A primeira parte do estudo consistiu na realização de experimentos em um sistema fotoquímico de batelada, empregando quatro diferentes correntes efluentes de processo, para a avaliação da viabilidade técnico-econômica do tratamento fotoquímico, bem como para a obtenção de dados referentes à cinética das reações fotoquímicas. Com base nas informações obtidas, na segunda parte do estudo foram realizados experimentos em um sistema fotoquímico contínuo, a fim de obter dados para o aumento de escala para aplicação industrial do processo de tratamento contínuo. Os resultados experimentais indicaram a viabilidade técnica de aplicação do sistema UV/H2O2 utilizando fonte de luz artificial para todas as correntes de processo estudadas, tendo sido alcançados níveis de remoção de matéria orgânica acima de 90%. No entanto, sob o ponto de vista econômico, apenas as correntes com baixo teor de carbono orgânico total dissolvido (COT), entre 6 e 12 mgC L-1, mostraram-se adequadas ao reúso, após o tratamento. / Rationalization of water use has been one of the goals in many industrial activities, and, in particular, in the petrochemical industry. Such goals demand technological innovations in the productive processes and in techniques for treatment and reuse of water in the production chain. The high costs of industrial water, particularly in some metropolitan regions, have stimulated the industries to evaluate the possibilities of water reuse. The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of the UV/H2O2 photochemical process applied to the treatment of process waste water containing polypropylene, aiming at the reuse of the waste water in the as process water in the industrial complex, thus reducing the need for tap water supply and waste water generation rate. The first part of this study consisted of laboratory-scale experiments in a batch photochemical reactor with four different waste water streams to perform the technical and economical feasibility of the photochemical treatment, as well to obtain data on the degradation rate. Based on the results of the first part, the second part of this study consisted of experiments in a continuous photochemical reactor, aimed at obtaining experimental data for reactor scale-up. Experimental results indicate that the UV/H2O2 photodegradation process is able to remove more than 90% of the organic compounds contained in the waste water. However, only waste waters containing relatively low contaminant levels (between 6 and 12 mgC L-1) can be treated at economically favourable costs.

Os tratamentos convencionais de efluentes em geral não são eficientes para a degradação de compostos persistentes como os fármacos. Neste trabalho, estuda-se o tratamento de soluções aquosas contendo o antibiótico ciprofloxacina (CIP) por meio de processo oxidativo avançado baseado em ozônio. Para tanto, foram realizados experimentos em semi-batelada com recirculação de líquido em um reator (coluna de bolhas) com escoamento gás-líquido em contracorrente. Amostras de líquido foram retiradas e analisadas para medida das concentrações de CIP e de carbono orgânico total (COT); a concentração de ozônio no gás foi medida por espectrofotometria UV-vis. Estudaram-se os efeitos das seguintes variáveis quanto à degradação de CIP, por meio de um planejamento Doehlert: concentração de ozônio à entrada do reator (8-25 mgO3 L-1), pH (3,5-10,5) e concentração inicial de CIP (5-26 mg L-1). Avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis dependentes por meio da análise de superfícies de resposta: variação de concentração de CIP em 2 minutos; taxa inicial de degradação de CIP e variação de concentração de COT em 30 minutos. Os resultados indicaram total degradação de ciprofloxacina em menos de 15 minutos, tanto por via direta, com ataque por ozônio molecular em meio ácido, como por via indireta, com ataque por radicais hidroxila em meio básico. Os compostos resultantes da degradação da CIP mostraram-se recalcitrantes, obtendo-se maiores remoções de COT após 30 minutos apenas em meio básico ou neutro (máximo de 72,8% para pH=7, [O3]=24,9 mgO3 L-1 e [CIP]0=15,8 mg L-1). Apesar da persistência dos compostos orgânicos remanescentes, os ensaios respirométricos sugeriram que os produtos de degradação são menos tóxicos que o composto de partida, com menor inibição da atividade microbiana. No conjunto, os resultados do trabalho indicam que o processo de ozonização pode ser aplicado para pré-tratamento de efluentes aquosos contendo ciprofloxacina em baixas concentrações, podendo ser associado a processos de tratamento biológico em ETEs antes do descarte. / Conventional wastewater treatment processes are not generally efficient for the degradation of persistent substances like pharmaceutical compounds. In this work, the treatment of aqueous solutions containing the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) by means of the ozone-based advanced oxidation process is studied. With this aim, experiments were carried out in semi-batch mode with liquid circulation in a bubble column reactor with gas-liquid counter flow. Liquid samples were analyzed for CIP and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations; ozone concentration in the gas was measured by UVvisible spectrophotometry. The effects of the following variables on CIP degradation were studied according to a Doehlert experimental design: inlet ozone concentration (8 to 25 mgO3 L-1), pH (3.5 to 10.5), initial CIP concentration (5 to 26 mg L-1). The following dependent variables were investigated by response surface analysis: variation in CIP concentration after 2 minutes; CIP initial degradation rate and variation in TOC concentration after 30 minutes. The results showed total degradation of ciprofloxacin in less than 15 minutes either by direct reaction with molecular ozone in acidic medium, or by indirect attack of hydroxyl radicals in alkaline medium. Compounds resulting from CIP degradation showed to be recalcitrant, yielding larger TOC removals after 30 minutes only in alkaline or neutral medium (maximum of 72.8% for pH=7, [O3]=24.9 mgO3 L-1, and [CIP]0=15.8 mg L-1). Despite the persistence of remaining organic compounds, respirometric assays suggested that degradation products are less toxic than the parent compound, exhibiting lower inhibition of microbial activity. Overall, the results indicate that the ozonation process can be used in the pre-treatment of aqueous effluents containing ciprofloxacin in low concentrations, and could be associated with biological treatment processes in wastewater treatment plants prior to final disposal.

Oxidation reactions are of prime importance at an industrial level and correspond to a huge market. Oxidation reactions are widely practiced in industry and are thoroughly studied in academic and industrial laboratories. Achievements in oxidation process resulted in the development of many new selective oxidation processes. Environmental protection also relies mainly on oxidation reactions. Remarkable results obtained in this field contributed to promote the social image of chemistry which gradually changes from being the enemy of nature to becoming its friend and savior. This study dealt with two aspects regarding oxidation process. The first aspect represented an experimental study for the partial oxidation of benzene to phenol using Pd membrane in the gaseous phase. The second part was a theoretical study for some of the advanced oxidation process (AOPs) which are applied for contaminant destructions in polluted waters. Niwa and coworkers reported a one step catalytic process to convert benzene to phenol using Pd membrane. According to their work, this technique will produce a higher yield than current cumene and nitrous oxide based industrial routes to phenol. A similar system to produce phenol from benzene in one step was studied in this work. Results at low conversion of benzene to phenol were obtained with a different selectivity from the reported work. High conversion to phenol was not obtained using the same arrangement as the reported one. High conversion to phenol was obtained using a scheme different from the one reported by Niwa et al1. It was found that producing phenol from benzene is not related to Pd-membrane since phenol was produced by passing all reactants over a Pd catalyst. Within the studied experimental conditions, formation of phenol was related to Pd catalyst since Pt catalyst was not capable of activating benzene to produce phenol. Other evidence was the result of a blank experiment, where no catalyst was used. From this experiment no phenol was produced. A kinetic model for the advanced oxidation process using ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) in a completely mixed batch reactor has been tested for the destruction of humic acid in aqueous solutions. Known elementary chemical reactions with the corresponding rate constants were taken from the literature and used in this model. Photochemical reaction parameters of hydrogen peroxide and humic acid were also taken from the literature. Humic acid was assumed to be mainly destroyed by direct photolysis and radicals. The rate constant for the HA- reaction was optimized from range of values in the literature. Other fitted parameters were the rate constant of direct photolysis of hydrogen peroxide and humic acid. A series of reactions were proposed for formation of organic byproducts of humic acid destruction by direct photolysis and radicals. The corresponding rate constants were optimized based on the best fit within the range of available published data. This model doesn't assume the net formation of free radicals species is zero. The model was verified by predicting the degradation of HA and H2O2 for experimental data taken from the literature. The kinetic model predicted the effect of initial HA and H2O2 concentration on the process performance regarding the residual fraction of hydrogen peroxide and nonpurgeable dissolved organic carbon (NPDOC). The kinetic model was used to study the effect of the presence of carbonate/bicarbonate on the rate of degradation of NPDOC using hydrogen peroxide and UV (H2O2/UV) oxidation. Experimental data taken from literature were used to test the kinetic model in the presence of carbonate/bicarbonate at different concentrations. The kinetic model was able to describe the trend of the experimental data. The kinetic model simulations, along with the experimental data for the conditions in this work, showed a retardation effect on the rate of degradation of NPDOC due to the presence of bicarbonate and carbonate. This effect was attributed to the scavenging of the hydroxyl radicals by carbonate and bicarbonate. A kinetic model for the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in a batch reactor applying Fenton's reagent (FeII/ H2O2) and Fenton-like reagent (Feo/ H2O2) in aqueous solutions was proposed. All of the rate and equilibrium constants for hydrogen peroxide chemistry in aqueous solutions were taken from the literature. Rate and equilibrium constants for ferric and ferrous ions reactions in this model were taken from the reported values in the literature, except for the rate constant for the reaction of ferric ions with hydrogen peroxide where it was fitted within the range that was reported in the literature. Rate constant for iron dissolution was also a fitted parameter. The mechanism of MTBE degradation by the hydroxyl radicals was proposed based on literature studies. The kinetic model was tested on available experimental data from the literature which involved the use of Fenton's reagent and Fenton-like reagent for MTBE degradation. The degradation of MTBE in Fenton's reagent work was characterized to proceed by two stages, a fast one which involved the reaction of ferrous ions with hydrogen peroxide (FeII/H2O2 stage) and another, relatively, slower stage which involved the reaction of ferric ions with hydrogen peroxide (FeIII/H2O2 stage). The experimental data of MTBE degradation in the FeII/H2O2 stage were not sufficient to validate the model, however the model predictions of MTBE degradation in the FeIII/H2O2 stage was good. Also, the model was able to predict the byproducts formation from MTBE degradation and their degradation especially methyl acetate, and tert-butyl alcohol. The effect of each proposed reaction on MTBE degradation and the byproducts formation and degradation was elucidated based on a sensitivity analysis. The kinetic model predicted the degradation of MTBE for Fenton-like reagent for the tested experimental data. Matlab (R13) was used to solve the set of ordinary nonlinear stiff differential equations that described rate of species concentrations in each advanced oxidation kinetic model. Niwa, S. et al., Science 295 (2002) 105

A presença de antibióticos no meio ambiente aquático tem causado crescente preocupação mundial. Além dos relatos de resistência de bactérias a antibióticos, essa classe de fármacos também pode causar efeitos tóxicos e atuar como perturbadores endócrinos em diversos organismos vivos e, possivelmente, em humanos. Dentre os antibióticos comumente usados destacam-se as sulfonamidas, detectadas em águas subterrâneas e superficiais. Os processos avançados de oxidação (POA) têm sido apontados como tecnologias eficientes para tratamento de poluentes recalcitrantes em diferentes matrizes aquosas. Dentre os POA, o processo foto-Fenton é uma alternativa para a degradação de compostos não biodegradáveis, incluindo fármacos. Uma vez que a principal limitação do processo é o intervalo de pH (2,5- 4,0), a reação pode ser vantajosamente conduzida empregando-se substâncias bio-orgânicas solúveis (BOS) como agentes complexantes de Fe3+ em condições ligeiramente ácidas (pH 5). Por sua vez, o emprego da energia ultrassônica tem sido menos estudado. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a degradação do antibiótico sulfadiazina (SDZ) por meio do processo foto-Fenton na presença de substâncias bio-orgânicas solúveis (UVvis/ Fe3+/H2O2/BOS) e do processo de cavitação por meio de ultrassom (US). Os resultados obtidos mostram que a sulfadiazina é eficientemente degradada por ultrassom de alta frequência. As maiores porcentagens e taxas de remoção são obtidas usando menor frequência de operação (580 kHz), maior potência dissipada e em pH ligeiramente ácido (melhor condição: pH 5,5). Além disso, a reação de Fenton, combinada com o tratamento US, melhorou notavelmente a degradação da SDZ, particularmente quando quantidades extras de H2O2 foram adicionadas ao sistema. Por sua vez, o uso de BOS como aditivos no processo foto-Fenton apresenta influência marcante na fotodegradação da SDZ em condições ligeiramente ácidas (pH 5). Os BOS podem estabilizar espécies de ferro em solução aquosa em pH próximos ao neutro, o que constitui uma propriedade de grande interesse. Sob as condições estudadas, o BOS CVT230 foi mais eficiente do que FORSUD, provavelmente devido às diferenças nos grupos funcionais presentes na composição destas substâncias. Finalmente, foram calculados os indicadores de consumo de energia elétrica por ordem de grandeza (EEO) para o processo de ultrassom (1572 kW h m-3 ordem-1) e área do coletor por ordem de grandeza (ACO) para o processo foto-Fenton (8,07 m2 m-3 ordem-1). / The potential impacts of antibiotic residues in the environment have become an emerging concern during recent years due to their relation with the development of resistant bacteria, and in some cases to their ability to cause toxic and endocrine disrupting effects in humans and other living organisms. Highlighted among the commonly used antibiotics are the sulfonamides, detected in groundwater and surface water. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) might constitute an important alternative to deal with pharmaceuticals degradation. Among them, the photo-Fenton process has been widely used. One of its major drawbacks is the highly acidic pH needed (2,5-4,0) to avoid the formation of photochemically inactive iron oxides and hydroxides. The ability of soluble bio-organic substances (SBO) to complex metal cations such as iron is useful for the development of photo-Fenton at mild acidic conditions (pH 5). In turn, the use of ultrasonic energy has been less studied. In this context, the aim of this work is to study the degradation of the antibiotic sulfadiazine (SDZ) by the photo-Fenton process in the presence of soluble bio-organic substances (UV-vis/Fe3+/H2O2/SBO) and by ultrasonic cavitation (US). The results confirm that SDZ is effectively degraded by highfrequency ultrasound. Higher SDZ percent removals and removal rates were observed for the lowest operating frequency (580 kHz), higher dissipated power, and in slightly acidic solution (pH 5.5). On the other hand, SDZ degradation is highly improved in the case of the US/ Fe(II)/H2O2 system. The use of the SBO as Fenton additives in turn has a remarkable influence in SDZ photodegradation at slightly acid conditions (pH 5). This could be ascertained to the complexation of iron by the SBO, hence maintained in the reaction medium as a photoactive species. Under the studied conditions, the BOS CVT230 was more efficient than FORSUD, probably due to differences in the functional groups present in the composition of these substances. Finally, the figures-of merit electrical energy per order (EEO) and collector area per order (ACO) were calculated for the ultrasound (1572 kW h m-3 ordem-1) and photo-Fenton (8,07 m2 m-3 ordem-1) processes respectively.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden zwei verschiedene Klassen oxidischer Nanomaterialien nasschemisch synthetisiert und strukturell-morphologisch charakterisiert. Zum einen betrifft dies TiO2-, TiO2/SiO2-, Ag/TiO2- und Pd/TiO2-Sole, welche die photokatalytisch aktive Modifikation Anatas in nanokristalliner Form enthalten und über einen solvothermalen Sol-Gel-Prozess hergestellt werden konnten. Im Hinblick auf eine potentielle Anwendung in der Desinfektionstechnologie und für den Abbau organischer Umweltschadstoffe wurde die photokatalytische Aktivität von Pulvern und Beschichtungen auf Textil durch E. coli-Abtötung bzw. Modellfarbstoffabbau untersucht. Im Weiteren wurde die antimikrobielle Aktivität pyroelektrischer LiNbO3- und LiTaO3-Pulvermaterialien unter zyklischer thermischer Anregung nachgewiesen. Diese als Pyroelektrokatalyse bezeichnete Nutzung des pyroelektrischen Effektes in einem katalytischen bzw. elektrochemischen Prozess ist dabei von grundlegender Neuheit. Aufsetzend auf den physiko-chemischen Grundlagen dieses Phänomens wurde eine Hypothese des Mechanismus entwickelt und in Analogie zur Photokatalyse diskutiert. / This thesis deals with two classes of oxidic nanomaterials that were synthesized by chemical solution routes and characterized with respect to structure and morphology. Sols of TiO2, TiO2/SiO2, Ag/TiO2 and Pd/TiO2 containing the photocatalytically active modification anatase in nanocrystalline form were prepared via a solvothermal sol-gel process. With regard to potential application in disinfection and environmental remediation technology the photocatalytic activity of powders and coatings on textile was investigated by means of E. coli decomposition and organic dye degradation. Further the antimicrobial activity of pyroelectric LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 powder materials under cyclical thermal excitation was demonstrated. In this context the application of the pyroelectric effect in a catalytic or electrochemical process – termed as pyroelectrocatalysis – is of fundamental novelty. Based on the physico-chemical principles of the phenomenon a hypothesis of the mechanism was developed and discussed in analogy with photocatalysis.

L’aigua és un bé escàs i finit, i degut a factors com l’increment de la població i el canvi climàtic, les previsions indiquen que a mig termini un 40% de la població viurà amb un estès hídric significatiu. Això podria tenir efectes molt greus en el desenvolupament i en el benestar a les àrees afectades. És normal doncs, que els darrers anys hagi acrescut considerablement l’interès en l’obtenció de recursos hídrics alternatius i sostenibles com la regeneració d’aigua i la reutilització. Els avenços tecnològics per al tractament d’aigües estan fent possible l’obtenció d’aigua regenerada de qualitat que pot ser utilitzada per a restauració ambiental, per al reg en general i per a usos urbans no potables. Tot i així, aquesta activitat podria suposar un perill per la presència de patògens d’origen entèric (bacteris, virus i protozous) i també per la presència de microcontaminants com productes farmacèutics, hormones o subproductes de desinfecció. El RD 1620/2007 estableix el marc legal de la reutilització, i es basa en E. coli com a indicador de qualitat microbiològica de l’aigua regenerada (AR). Tot i així, E. coli pot no ser suficient en relació a la presència de patògens vírics o protozous. Un exemple és Cryptosporidium, que s’ha convertit en un patogen de referència ja que ha causat nombrosos brots de criptosporidiosi d’origen hídric. L’ús de microorganismes indicadors alternatius com bacteriòfags (SOMCPH o FRNAPH) o espores de clostridis reductors del sulfit (SRC), pot ser molt útil per a indicar la presència o per modelar el comportament de patògens vírics o de protozous. En aquesta tesi s’estudia d’una banda, la qualitat microbiològica de l’AR que produeixen cinc plantes de tractament, analitzant E. coli, indicadors alternatius, i Cryptosporidium com a patogen de referència. Es fan assajos de QMRA lligats a Cryptosporidium en les EDARs estudiades, i finalment s’estudien les implicacions, d’un procés de reutilització per a augmentar el cabal del riu Llobregat uns Km més a munt del punt de captació de la potabilitzadora. Els resultats d’aquesta part indiquen que la reutilització per a potabilització en l’escenari estudiat, no hauria de suposar cap risc per a la salut de les persones des de la perspectiva de les malalties infeccioses. S’observa que l’ús d’un altre indicador, a part d’E. coli, significaria una millora en la gestió de l’AR ja que permetria fer un seguiment molt més acurat tant de la qualitat de l’aigua com de l’eficiència dels diferents tractaments. És recomanable l’ús de tractaments multibarrera durant la regeneració per poder garantir una aigua segura, i en aquest sentit, la inclusió de llum UV és vital en la prevenció del risc associat a Cryptosporidium en AR. D’altra banda s’estudien processos fotocatalítics d’oxidació avançada (POAs) com a processos de regeneració en l’eliminació de microorganismes d’efluents secundaris reals. D’una banda, amb l’ús de làmpades d’UV i de l’altra amb l’ús de la radiació solar com a font de llum UV. Per fer-ho es va analitzar la inactivació de diferents indicadors (SOMCPH, FRNAPH, CB390PH i SRC) davant alguns POA: H2O2/UV, TiO2/UV i foto-Fenton. Els resultats indiquen que l’ús de POA té un gran potencial com a tractaments terciaris en el futur, especialment si estan basats en la radiació solar, ja que podrien ser una opció ambientalment sostenible i alhora eficaç en el tractament d’aigua. Tot i així, és necessari segui investigant la possible aplicació d’aquestes tecnologies ja que encara hi ha certes limitacions que fan que de moment no es facin servir de manera més estesa. Finalment, els resultats pel que fa a la inactivació de microorganismes ratifiquen que l’ús d’un altre indicador seria útil per assegura la qualitat microbiològica de l’aigua. / Population growth and climate change may worsen the current water scarcity problems, which could have serious effects on the development and on the public health of the affected areas. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the improvement of sustainable water resources such as water reclamation. Technological advances in water treatment are making it possible to obtain reclaimed water (RW), which can be used for instance, for environmental restoration or for irrigation. However, water reuse may represent a health risk due to the presence of enteric pathogens or micropollutants. Spanish regulations on RW are based on E. coli, but it may not be useful to protect against viral o protozoan diseases. Cryptosporidium has become a reference pathogen since it has caused numerous waterborne outbreaks. Thus, the use of alternative indicators such as somatic coliphages (SOMCPH) or spores of sulphite reducing clostridia (SRC) may be better to monitor presence and behaviour of certain pathogens. The aims of this thesis were: (i) to study the microbiological quality of RW analysing Cryptosporidium as the reference pathogen and different microbial indicators such as E. coli, SOMCPH and SRC; (ii) to perform QMRA analysis related to the presence of Cryptosporidium in RW; (iii) to analyse the implications of planned-IPR (indirect potable reuse) in the Llobregat River; (iv) to test the effect of different AOP (advanced oxidation processes) on indicator microorganisms for water reclamation purposes. From the infectious diseases point of view, the health risks due to waterborne pathogens linked to planned-IPR in the Llobregat River can be safely managed. Furthermore, the use of another indicator, besides E. coli, would improve RW management. Multi-barrier systems including UV for water treatment are recommended to ensure RW quality, especially with regard to Cryptosporidium inactivation. AOPs have a great potential for water reclamation in the future, especially those based on solar light, because they are sustainable and effective technologies for the removal of microorganisms as well as for the mineralisation of emerging micropollutants. Within the solar based procedures, photo-Fenton showed the best performance in microbial inactivation during the experiments. However, it is necessary to further investigate this AOP to overcome some of its actual limitations.

The microbial aggregates (flocs) formed during secondary biological treatment of wastewater shield microbes from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, and decrease the efficiency of disinfection, causing the tailing phenomena. This thesis investigates whether the formation of compact cores within flocs induces higher levels of UV resistance. Moreover, it investigates the effect of secondary treatment conditions on the physicochemical properties of flocs’, effluent quality, and UV disinfection performance. Compact cores were isolated from the flocs using hydrodynamic shearing. The UV dose response curves (DRC) were constructed for flocs and cores, and the 53-63 μm cores showed 0.5 log less disinfectability, compared to flocs of similar size. Based on a structural model developed for the UV disinfection of flocs, floc disinfection kinetics was sensitive to the core’s relative volume, their density, and viability. The UV disinfection and floc properties of a conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, and a biological nutrient removal (BNR-UCT) system, including both biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal, was compared. The 32-53 μm flocs and the final effluent from the BNR-UCT reactor showed 0.5 log and 1 log improvement in UV disinfectability, respectively, compared to those from the CAS reactor. The BNR-UCT flocs were more irregular in structure, and accumulated polyphosphates through enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Polyphosphates were found to be capable of producing hydroxyl radicals under UV irradiation, causing the photoreactive disinfection of microorganisms embedded within the BNR-UCT flocs, accelerating their UV disinfection. Comparing the UV disinfection performance and floc properties at various operating conditions showed that increasing the operating temperature from 12 ºC to 22 ºC, improved the UV disinfection of effluent by 0.5 log. P-Starved condition, i.e. COD:N:P of 100:10:0.03, decreased the average floc size and sphericity, both by 50%. Despite the higher effluent turbidity of the P-Starved reactor, the final effluent’s UV disinfection improved by at least 1 log compared to the P-Normal and P-Limited conditions. The improvement in the floc and effluent disinfectability were accompanied by a decrease in floc sphericity and a decrease in the number of larger flocs in the effluent, respectively.

The microbial aggregates (flocs) formed during secondary biological treatment of wastewater shield microbes from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, and decrease the efficiency of disinfection, causing the tailing phenomena. This thesis investigates whether the formation of compact cores within flocs induces higher levels of UV resistance. Moreover, it investigates the effect of secondary treatment conditions on the physicochemical properties of flocs’, effluent quality, and UV disinfection performance. Compact cores were isolated from the flocs using hydrodynamic shearing. The UV dose response curves (DRC) were constructed for flocs and cores, and the 53-63 μm cores showed 0.5 log less disinfectability, compared to flocs of similar size. Based on a structural model developed for the UV disinfection of flocs, floc disinfection kinetics was sensitive to the core’s relative volume, their density, and viability. The UV disinfection and floc properties of a conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, and a biological nutrient removal (BNR-UCT) system, including both biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal, was compared. The 32-53 μm flocs and the final effluent from the BNR-UCT reactor showed 0.5 log and 1 log improvement in UV disinfectability, respectively, compared to those from the CAS reactor. The BNR-UCT flocs were more irregular in structure, and accumulated polyphosphates through enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Polyphosphates were found to be capable of producing hydroxyl radicals under UV irradiation, causing the photoreactive disinfection of microorganisms embedded within the BNR-UCT flocs, accelerating their UV disinfection. Comparing the UV disinfection performance and floc properties at various operating conditions showed that increasing the operating temperature from 12 ºC to 22 ºC, improved the UV disinfection of effluent by 0.5 log. P-Starved condition, i.e. COD:N:P of 100:10:0.03, decreased the average floc size and sphericity, both by 50%. Despite the higher effluent turbidity of the P-Starved reactor, the final effluent’s UV disinfection improved by at least 1 log compared to the P-Normal and P-Limited conditions. The improvement in the floc and effluent disinfectability were accompanied by a decrease in floc sphericity and a decrease in the number of larger flocs in the effluent, respectively.

A new class of treatment processes called Advanced Reduction Processes (ARP) has been proposed. The ARPs combine activation methods and reducing agents to form highly reactive reducing radicals that degrade oxidized contaminants. Batch screening experiments were conducted to identify effective ARP by applying several combinations of activation methods (ultraviolet light, ultrasound, electron beam, microwaves) and reducing agents (dithionite, sulfite, ferrous iron, sulfide) to degradation of five target contaminants (perchlorate, nitrate, perfluorooctanoic acid, 2,4 dichlorophenol, 1,2 dichloroethane) at 3 pH levels (2.4, 7.0, 11.2). These experiments identified the combination of sulfite activated by ultraviolet light produced by a low pressure mercury vapor lamp as an effective ARP. More detailed kinetic experiments were conducted with nitrate and perchlorate as target compounds and nitrate was found to degrade more rapidly than perchlorate. The effects of pH, sulfite concentration, and light intensity on perchlorate and nitrate degradation were investigated. The effectiveness of the sulfite/UV-L treatment process improved with increasing pH for both perchlorate and nitrate.