Fenton advanced oxidation of emerging pollutants: parabens

Degradation rates and removal efficiencies of different parabens, namely, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben using H2O2/Fe2? advanced oxidation process are studied in this work. With the aim of optimizing the removal of parabens from waters through the Fenton process, a factorial central composite orthogonal and rotatable design (FCCORD) was used. H2O2 and Fe2? ion initial concentrations were selected as independent variables. The experimental procedure planned according to the FCCORD makes it possible to optimize the removal. The occurrence of interactions between these two variables can also be analyzed with the aid of the experimental design. Fenton process provides conversion efficiencies comprising between 85 and 94 % after a reaction time of 48 h, which reveals the appropriateness of this procedure for the removal of parabens from aqueous matrices.