Photochemical Formation of Hydroxyl Radical from Effluent Organic Matter

在过去的十年里，新兴的微量有机污染物（TrOC）的话题得到了科学界和公众的广泛关注。这些TrOC与人为活动有关，包括内分泌干扰物化合物、药品和个人护理产品、工业化学品等。对废水中这些化合物的来源、发生和去除进行了大量的研究（主要集中在高级氧化和膜等工程系统的功效上）。这些TrOC通过废水排放进入环境，在那里观察到显著的生态影响。然而，在受污水影响的河流中，自然衰变过程的作用受到的关注较少。在这些衰变过程中，由于羟基自由基（HO-）的高反应性，间接光解作用引起了人们的兴趣，这将导致troc的显著降解。近年来，有机质作为HO-光化学形成的重要贡献者的作用已被认识到。然而，没有关于废水产生的流出有机物（EfOM）形成HO-或作为EfOM子组分的函数的潜在变异性的信息。因此，本文的主要目的是研究EfOM光化学形成HO-的过程。为了达到这个目标，项目将研究EfOM形成HO的基本过程，以及环境因素和EfOM组成的影响。拟议的研究将扩大对废水排放如何影响涉及TrOC的光解过程的基本理解，这将使工程师和科学家能够提高对自然衰变过程的理解。此外，研究结果可用于改进与城市流域TrOC命运相关的水质模型。倡议还将利用水资源可持续性问题的普遍吸引力，努力提高代表性不足的少数群体（URM）对工程学位的参与。为了实现这一目标，PI将针对科罗拉多大学博尔德分校（CU Boulder）的本科生开展一系列研讨会。这些研讨会将与科罗拉多大学博尔德分校的金衬衫项目合作开发，并将帮助学生为参与研究活动做好准备。此外，该教育计划将包括一名研究生参加正在进行的GK-12课程。

1235288Rosario-OrtizThe topic of emerging trace organic contaminants (TrOC) has gained widespread attention from the scientific community and the public over the past ten years. These TrOC are associated with anthropogenic activities and include endocrine disruptor compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, industrial chemicals, and others. Numerous studies have been conducted on the source, occurrence and removal of these compounds from wastewater effluents (mostly focusing on the efficacy of engineered systems such as advanced oxidation and membranes). These TrOC enter the environment via wastewater discharges, where significant ecological effects are being observed. However, the role of natural decay processes within wastewater-impacted streams has received less attention. Within these decay processes, the role of indirect photolysis through the hydroxyl radical (HO-) is of interest due to the high reactivity of this species, which will result in significant degradation of TrOCs. Recently, the role of organic matter as an important contributor to the photochemical formation of HO- has been recognized. However, there is no information on the capacity of wastewater-derived effluent organic matter (EfOM) to form HO- or potential variability as a function of EfOM sub-components. Therefore, the main objective of this proposal is to examine the photochemical formation of HO- from EfOM. To accomplish this objective, the PI will study the fundamental processes by which EfOM form HO- and the impact of environmental factors and composition of EfOM. The proposed research will expand the basic understanding of how wastewater discharge affect photolytic processes involving TrOC, which will allow engineers and scientists to improve the understanding of natural decay processes. In addition, the results could be used to enhance water quality models related to fate of TrOC in urban watersheds. The PI will also work to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities (URM) in engineering degrees by leveraging the universal appeal of the issue of water sustainability. To accomplish this, the PI will develop a seminar series, which will target undergraduate students at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU Boulder). These seminars will be developed in collaboration with the Gold Shirt program at CU Boulder and will help prepare students for participation in research activities. In addition, the educational plan will include the participation of one graduate student in an ongoing GK-12 program.