Pentachlorophenol and crystal violet degradation in water and soils using heme and hydrogen peroxide

An abiotic method for oxidative PCP degradation in soil under unsaturated conditions and neutral pH was developed. Reagents used were heme (a catalyst) and peroxide (an oxidant). The aqueous phase degradation of crystal violet and PCP, and the mineralization of PCP in soil were determined. Five factors were investigated to assess their impact on PCP degradation in a soil contaminated with wood preserving chemicals. The results showed that heme and peroxide could efficiently degrade PCP and crystal violet in a short period of time in either liquid or unsaturated soil systems. In soil, three control runs showed little degradation of PCP, but treatments with heme and peroxide showed a maximum of 13% mineralization of PCP. Heme and peroxide concentration were the two most important factors in improving degradation of PCP in soil.