Advanced oxidation process based on the Cr(III)/Cr(VI) redox cycle

Oxidative degradation of aqueous organic pollutants, using 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as a main model substrate, was achieved with the concurrent H(2)O(2)-mediated transformation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The Fenton-like oxidation of 4-CP is initiated by the reaction between the aquo-complex of Cr(III) and H(2)O(2), which generates HO(?) along with the stepwise oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The Cr(III)/H(2)O(2) system is inactive in acidic condition, but exhibits maximum oxidative capacity at neutral and near-alkaline pH. Since we previously reported that Cr(VI) can also activate H(2)O(2) to efficiently generate HO(?), the dual role of H(2)O(2) as an oxidant of Cr(III) and a reductant of Cr(VI) can be utilized to establish a redox cycle of Cr(III)-Cr(VI)-Cr(III). As a result, HO(?) can be generated using both Cr(III)/H(2)O(2) and Cr(VI)/H(2)O(2) reactions, either concurrently or sequentially. The formation of HO(?) was confirmed by monitoring the production of p-hydroxybenzoic acid from [benzoic acid + HO(?)] as a probe reaction and by quenching the degradation of 4-CP in the presence of methanol as a HO(?) scavenger. The oxidation rate of 4-CP in the Cr(III)/H(2)O(2) solution was highly influenced by pH, which is ascribed to the hydrolysis of Cr(III)(H(2)O)(n) into Cr(III)(H(2)O)(n-m)(OH)(m) and the subsequent condensation to oligomers. The present study proposes that the Cr(III)/H(2)O(2) combined with Cr(VI)/H(2)O(2) process is a viable advanced oxidation process that operates over a wide pH range using the reusable redox cycle of Cr(III) and Cr(VI).     

Concentration-dependent photoredox conversion of As(III)/As(V) on illuminated titanium dioxide electrodes

The photoconversion of As(III) (arsenite) and As(V) (arsenate) over a mesoporous TiO(2) electrode was investigated in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for a wide range of concentrations (μM-mM), under nonbiased (open-circuit potential measurements) and biased (short-circuit current measurements) conditions. Not only As(III) can be oxidized, but also As(V) can be reduced in the anoxic condition under UV irradiation. However, the reversible nature of As(III)/As(V) photoconversion was not observed in the normal air-equilibrated condition because the dissolved O(2) is far more efficient as an electron acceptor than As(V). Although As(III) should be oxidized by holes, its presence did not increase the photooxidation current in a monotonous way: the photocurrent was reduced by the presence of As(III) in the micromolar range but enhanced in the millimolar range. This abnormal concentration-dependent behavior is related with the fate of the intermediate As(IV) species which can be either oxidized or reduced depending on the experimental conditions, combined with surface deactivation for the water photooxidation process. The lowering of the photooxidation current in the presence of micromolar As(III) is ascribed to the role of As(IV) as a charge recombination center. Being an electron acceptor, the addition of As(V) consistently lowers the photocurrent in the entire concentration range. A global concentration-dependent mechanism is proposed accounting for all the PEC results and its relation with the photocatalytic oxidation mechanism is discussed.     

Photochemical coupling reactions between Fe(III)/Fe(II), Cr(VI)/Cr(III), and polycarboxylates: inhibitory effect of Cr species

The roles of chromium species on photochemical cycling of iron and mineralization of polycarboxylates are examined in the presence of Cr(VI) or Cr(III) at pH 2.2-4.0. Under UV irradiation, Cr(III) altered the redox equilibrium of iron species, leading to the shift of the photosteady state toward Fe(II). After a longer time of illumination, total organic carbon (TOC) approached a steady state in the presence of Cr(III) or Cr(VI), whereas oxalate was thoroughly mineralized in the absence of Cr species. The TOC of steady state was closely related to the kind of polycarboxylates, Cr species dosages, pH and O2 atmosphere, but hardly affected by more addition of Fe(III). ESI-MS data indicates that several Cr-oxalate complexes formed in the photochemical reactions, which are responsible for protecting oxalate against further oxidation. A mechanism is proposed for the inhibitory effect of Cr species on oxidation of oxalate and Fe(II). The present study may provide a new insight into the dual environmental effects induced by Cr contaminants especially at heavily chromium-contaminated and dissolved organic matter (DOM)-rich sites.     

Bifunctionalized mesoporous silicas for Cr(VI) reduction and concomitant Cr(III) immobilization

Surfactant-templated thiol-functionalized mesoporous silica adsorbents have been prepared by cocondensation of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, which were then partially oxidized to get bifunctionalized materials containing both thiol and sulfonic acid moieties (MCM-41-SH/SO3H). The resulting organic-inorganic hybrid was applied to the uptake of chromium species according to a reduction-sorption mechanism involving reduction of Cr(VI) by thiol groups and immobilization of Cr(III) onto sulfonic acid moieties. These processes were strongly affected by pH, and the optimal conditions for effective chromium sequestration resulted from a compromise between pH values low enough to ensure quantitative reduction of Cr(VI) and not too low to enable Cr(III) binding to sulfonate groups, which was best achieved at pH 2-3. The effect of the solid-to-solution ratio and the relative amounts of -SH and -SO3H groups was also discussed. Even if Cr(VI) reduction by thiol groups resulted in the formation of sulfonic acid moieties, their contentwas not high enough to ensure quantitative Cr(III) immobilization, which was only attained with materials containing already some sulfonic acid groups prior to contacting Cr(VI) solutions. Redox speciation of sulfur and chromium species was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and used to support the proposed mechanism.     

Spectroscopic investigation of Cr(III)- and Cr(VI)-treated nanoscale zerovalent iron

The reaction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) with zerovalent iron (Fe0) during soil and groundwater remediation is an important environmental process. This study used several techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to investigate nanometer scale Fe0 particles (nano Fe0) treated with Cr(III) and Cr(VI). X-ray diffraction and XPS analyses of oxidized nano Fe0 showed the crystalline Fe(III) phase is composed of lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH). Results of XPS Cr 2p data and Cr K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) provided evidence that Cr(VI) was entirely reduced to Cr(III) by nano Fe0 with no residual Cr(VI) after reaction. In addition, XPS and XANES results of Cr(III) precipitated as Cr(OH)3 in the presence of corroding nano Fe0 were nearly identical to the Cr(VI)-nano Fe0 reaction product. Detailed analysis of XPS O 1s line spectra revealed that both Cr(III)- and Cr(VI)-treated nano Fe0 yielded a predominantly hydroxylated Cr(OH)3 and/ or a mixed phase CrxFe(1 - x)(OH)3 product. The structure of the Cr(III)- and Cr(VI)-treated nano Fe0 determined using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) revealed octahedral Cr(III) with Cr-O interatomic distances between 1.97 and 1.98 A for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) treatments and a pronounced Cr-Cr second interatomic shell at 3.01 A. Our results suggest that the reaction product of Cr(VI)-treated nano Fe0 is either a poorly ordered Cr(OH)3 precipitate or possibly a mixed phase CrxFe(1 - x)(OH)3 product, both of which are highly insoluble under environmental conditions.     

Determination of As(III) and As(V) in oilseeds by chronopotentiometric stripping analysis: development of a method

Chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CSA) was used for selective determination of As(III) and As(V) in different oilseeds. After the optimization of experimental parameters an appropriate procedure for sample pretreatment was developed. A detection limit of 2 microg/dm3 for As(III) was obtained with an electrolysis time of 600 s. This method was used for arsenic determination in sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seed, as well as for soy flakes and almond.     

Arsenic(III) oxidation by iron(VI) (ferrate) and subsequent removal of arsenic(V) by iron(III) coagulation

We investigated the stoichiometry, kinetics, and mechanism of arsenite [As(III)] oxidation by ferrate [Fe(VI)] and performed arsenic removal tests using Fe(VI) as both an oxidant and a coagulant. As(III) was oxidized to As(V) (arsenate) by Fe(VI), with a stoichiometry of 3:2 [As(III):Fe(VI)]. Kinetic studies showed that the reaction of As(III) with Fe(VI) was first-order with respect to both reactants, and its observed second-order rate constant at 25 degrees C decreased nonlinearly from (3.54 +/- 0.24) x 10(5) to (1.23 +/- 0.01) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) with an increase of pH from 8.4 to 12.9. A reaction mechanism by oxygen transfer has been proposed for the oxidation of As(III) by Fe(VI). Arsenic removal tests with river water showed that, with minimum 2.0 mg L(-1) Fe(VI), the arsenic concentration can be lowered from an initial 517 to below 50 microg L(-1), which is the regulation level for As in Bangladesh. From this result, Fe(VI) was demonstrated to be very effective in the removal of arsenic species from water at a relatively low dose level (2.0 mg L(-1)). In addition, the combined use of a small amount of Fe(VI) (below 0.5 mg L(-1)) and Fe(III) as a major coagulant was found to be a practical and effective method for arsenic removal.     

As(Ⅲ)和As(Ⅴ)在香菇栽培基质和子实体中的迁移规律

在两个生长年份里向香菇培养料中添加不同含量的亚砷酸盐（As(III)）和砷酸盐（As(V)）标准溶液,利用高效液相色谱联用电感耦合等离子体质谱法检测香菇及其培养料中5 种形态砷含量,研究香菇子实体对培养料中高毒无机砷的迁移规律。结果表明,香菇子实体对添加0.3～10 mg/kg As(III)和As(V)培养料中As(III)和As(V)的富集系数范围分别为0.36～0.84和0.82～7.53;添加0.33～0.38 mg/kg As(III)和As(V)培养料中As(III)和As(V)的迁移规律方程分别为y＝－1.138 9x2＋0.921 6x－0.004和y＝－9.024 3x2－4.388 1x＋0.838 7（x、y分别为培养料和香菇子实体中的As(III)或As(V)含量）。培养料中As(III)和As(V)含量的增加会导致香菇子实体的减产甚至绝收,其临界值为0.33 mg/kg。培养料中的As(III)含量随着栽培时间的延长逐渐减少,而As(V)含量则略有增加,香菇子实体中的有机砷含量也会随着As(III)和As(V)添加量的增加而提高,这可能和As(III)在香菇生长时转化为As(V)或有机砷有关。     

Electroreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes in a parallel-plate reactor with recirculation

The reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) is achieved in a flow-by, parallel-plate reactor equipped with reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrodes;this reduction can be accomplished by the application of relatively small potentials. Treatment of synthetic samples and field samples (from an electrodeposition plant) results in final Cr(VI) concentrations of 0.1 mg/L (i.e., the detection limit of the UV-vis characterization technique used here) in 25 and 43 min, respectively. Such concentrations comply with typical environmental legislation for wastewaters that regulate industrial effluents (at presenttime = 0.5 mg/L for discharges). The results show the influence of the applied potential, pH, electrode porosity, volumetric flow, and solution concentration on the Cr(VI) reduction percentage and on the required electrolysis time. Values for the mass transfer coefficient and current efficiencies are also obtained. Although current efficiencies are not high, the fast kinetics observed make this proposed treatment an appealing alternative. The lower current efficiency obtained in the case of a field sample is attributed to electrochemical activation of impurities. The required times for the reduction of Cr(VI) are significantly lower than those reported elsewhere.     

As(III) oxidation by active chlorine and subsequent removal of As(V) by Al13 polymer coagulation using a novel dual function reagent

An electrochemically prepared water treatment reagent containing a high concentration of Al(13) polymer and active chlorine (PACC) showed promising potential for the removal of As(III) due to the combined function of oxidation and coagulation. The results indicated that PACC was effective for As(III) removal through oxidation by the active chlorine and subsequent removal of As(V) by coagulation with the Al(13) polymer. The As(III) was oxidized to As(V) by active chlorine in PACC, with a stoichiometric rate of 0.99 mg Cl(2)/mg As(III). The Al(13) polymer was the most active Al species responsible for As(V) removal in PACC. To meet As drinking water standards the stoichiometric weight ratio of Cl(2)/Al within PACC was 0.09 for the treatment of As(III). Considering the process of As(III) oxidation and As(V) coagulation together, the optimal pH conditions for the removal of As by PACC was within the neutral range, which facilitated the reaction of As(III) with active chlorine and favored the formation of Al hydroxide flocs. The presence of humic acid reduced the As(III) removal efficiency of PACC due to its negative influence on subsequent As(V) coagulation, and disinfection byproduct yields were very low in the presence of insufficient or stoichiometric active chlorine.     

Solid-solution reactions in As(V) sorption by schwertmannite

Sorption behavior of As(V) by synthesized schwertmannite was examined under pH 3.3 as a function of As(V) concentration in the initial solution and interpreted in term of solid-solution reactions. Results showed that schwertmannite released 0.62 mmol of SO4(2-) for every 1 mmol of H2AsO4- and 0.24 mmol of OH- that has been sorbed. As(V) replaced SO4 up to half of the total SO4 in schwertmannite. The quantitative relationship among the three chemical compositions indicated that As(V)-sorbed schwertmannite would behave as a solid solution between the As(V) free schwertmannite and schwertmannite containing the maximum level of As(V). The equilibrium constant for the anion exchange in the solid-solution reaction estimated from the reacted solution chemistry depicts the As(V) content found in precipitates formed in acid mine drainage and laboratory experiments. Although schwertmannite is metastable with respect to goethite, the transformation is significantly inhibited by sorption of As(V). The solid-solution reactions also explain the stabilization of schwertmannite by sorption of As(V).     

Investigation of chromium content in foodstuffs and nutrition supplements by GFAAS and determination of changing Cr(III) to Cr(VI) during baking and toasting bread

In our work the chromium content of foodstuffs, spices, beverages and nutrition supplements was determined. We set out to determine in what quantity these satisfy the organism’s daily chromium requirement. We wanted to get an answer about to the question if a sportsman wants to plan his diet from the chromium consumption point of view, does he believe that the data given satisfy the necessary essential amount of chromium content. The results obtained were compared to data published by other authors and data can be found in the Internet. These data do not only differ significantly from the results obtained by us, but from each other as well. At present there is no available literature data to us demonstrating whether toxic chromium compounds can occur from the natural Cr(III) content of cereal milling products used when baking and toasting bread, that is why we considered examining it.     

Uptake and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by mesquite (Prosopis spp.): chromate-plant interaction in hydroponics and solid media studied using XAS

Chromium (Cr) is a well-established carcinogen that is a contaminant at half of the EPA Superfund sites in the United States. Two separate studies were performed to investigate the possibility that mesquite (Prosopis spp.), which is an indigenous desert plant species, can remove Cr from the environment via active transport systems to the aerial portions of the plant. The first study was performed by growing mesquite on solid media (agar) at Cr(VI) concentrations of 75 and 125 ppm. The accumulation found in the leaves under the present conditions indicated that mesquite could be classified as a hyperaccumulator of chromium. The second study was conducted to investigate the differences between the type of Cr ligand involved in Cr uptake with agar and hydroponic cultures. We used X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to determine the mechanisms involved in the uptake and binding of Cr(VI) in live mesquite tissue. The XAS results for this study showed that some of the supplied Cr(VI) was uptaken by the mesquite roots; however, the data analyses of the plant tissues demonstrated that it was fully reduced to Cr(III) in the leaf tissues. Experiments are currently being performed to evaluate the behavior of the Mesquite plant using lower Cr concentrations.     

Selected arsenic species: As(III), As(V) and dimethylarsenic acid (DMAA) in Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies

The aim of the study was to determine the content of As(III), As(V) and DMAA (dimethylarsinic acid) in Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies collected from selected Polish forests from areas subjected to very low or high anthropopressure and some commercially available samples obtained from the Polish Sanitary Inspectorate. The arsenic species determination was provided by two independent HPLC–HG-AAS hyphenated systems. The results show high levels (up to 27.1, 40.5 and 88.3 mg kg⁻¹ for As(III), As(V) and DMAA, respectively) of arsenic and occurrence of different species in mushrooms collected from areas subjected to high anthropopressure and two commercially available samples. For mushroom samples collected from areas not subjected to high anthropopressure and two commercially available samples the arsenic species level was below 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ for each arsenic form. Therefore, the accumulation of arsenic by mushrooms may lead to high (toxic for humans) arsenic concentrations, and arsenic species levels should be monitored in mushroom foodstuffs.     

Role of dissolved organic matter composition on the photoreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the presence of iron

The photochemical reduction of Cr(VI) by iron and aquatic dissolved organic matter (DOM) was investigated. DOM sampled from a number of surface waters (a eutrophic wetland, a blackwater stream, and river water from a mix-use watershed) was used in this study. Moreover, a fulvic acid from Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, was also used to represent a DOM derived from a strictly autochthonous source. Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) at pH 5.5 was observed for all target DOMs used in this study, but rates varied widely. In general, photoreduction rates increased with increasing iron concentrations, but the type of DOM appeared to influence the kinetics to a larger degree. The rate of reduction was significantly greater for DOM derived from terrestrial systems than from predominantly autochthonous materials even if additional iron was added to the later. A positive correlation was observed between rates of Cr(VI) photoreduction and properties of the isolated DOM samples whereby faster reduction was observed for larger more aromatic substrates. On the basis of the fast rates reported for the dark reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by Fe(II)-organic ligands, we hypothesize that the rate-limiting step in these reactions is the photoreduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) by a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer pathway after absorption of light by Fe(III)-DOM complexes or by reduction of Fe(III) by superoxide or other intermediates formed after light absorption by DOM. Thus, the rate of Cr(VI) photoreduction to Cr(III) in natural sunlit waters is dependent upon both the amount of iron present and the nature of the dissolved organic matter substrate.     

Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of NO3- and Cl- electrolytes as influenced by Fe(III)

Photoreduction of Cr(VI) involving Fe is strongly affected by the presence of organic or inorganic compounds in an acidic environment. In this study, we have found a new pathway of Cr(VI) photoreduction in the presence of Fe-(III) that is influenced by two inorganic electrolytes (i.e., NO3- and Cl-) and the pH. In NO3- and Cl- systems without Fe(III), Cr(VI) photoreduction could occur and was independent of the Cr(VI) concentration. The zero-order rate constant of the photoreduction reaction increased when the solution pH was decreased from 2 to 1; the reaction rate was higher in the NO3- system than in the Cl- system. The higher reaction rate in the NO3- system was attributed to the photolysis of NO3-, which resulted in the formation of NO2- for reduction of Cr(VI). Conversely, the effect of Fe-(III) addition on the increase in Cr(VI) photoreduction rate in the Cl- system was more significant than that in the NO3- system. The addition of Fe(III) to the Cl- system caused the formation of [Fe(OH2)5Cl]2+, the photolysis of which subsequently resulted in the formation of Fe(II) for reduction of the Cr(VI). This study suggests that the photolysis of NO3- and Fe-Cl complex may contribute significantly to Cr(VI) reduction in surface water that receives electroplating wastewater containing high levels of NO3-, Cl-, and Fe-(III). Therefore, under the acidic conditions that are favorable for Fe-Cl complex formation or in the presence of NO3-, the effects of inorganic components on Cr(VI) photoreduction cannot be ignored for the precise evaluation of the transformation of Cr in the environment.     

Removal of Cr(VI) and Cr(lll) from aqueous solutions and industrial wastewaters by natural clino-pyrrhotite

This paper introduced a simple method of treating Cr(Vl)-bearing toxic wastewaters using a natural mineral: clino-pyrrhotite. Laboratory bench-scale mixing experiments were carried out in both Cr(VI)-bearing artificial solutions and industrial wastewaters under controlled conditions. The effects of solution pH, Cr(VI) concentration, mineral grain size, mineral/solution ratio, and reaction time on the Cr(VI) removal were studied. Chromium was effectively removed from the solutions and wastewaters. After the treatment, the liquid was clean enough to be discharged directly into the natural environment. The Cr(VI) removal process involved sequentially the adsorption of Cr(VI), in the form of Cr2O7(2-) or CrO4(2-), onto the mineral surface, the reduction of the adsorbed Cr(VI) to Cr(lll), catalyzed at the vacant Fe sites of the mineral, and finally the precipitation of Cr(lll) as Cr2S3, Cr2O3, and Cr(OH)3 solid phases. Conditions such as a fine mineral grain size, an excessive quantity of clino-pyrrhotite and a weak acidic media, favored the removal process. For clino-pyrrhotite with a restricted grain size, the minimum required quantity of the mineral was proportional to the total quantity of Cr(VI) to be removed. Quantitatively, one cubic meter of industrial wastewater that contained approximately 1 mmol dm(-3) of Cr(VI) and had a pH value between 1 and 10 would be effectively treated after it was in contact with 220 kg of 145 +/- 28 microm clino-pyrrhotite for an hour. Furthermore, the quantity of the final solid waste byproduct was small, and the solid residue of clino-pyrrhotite could be reused after a simple rinse with water. Compared to the previous Cr(VI)-bearing wastewater treatment schemes, this method was simple, effective, economical, and environmentally sound. It has great potential for use in industrial-scale applications.     

Impacts of Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN-32 cells and extracellular polymeric substances on the sorption of As(V) and As(III) on Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides

We investigated the effects of Shewanella putrefaciens cells and extracellular polymeric substances on the sorption of As(III) and As(V) to goethite, ferrihydrite, and hematite at pH 7.0. Adsorption of As(III) and As(V) at solution concentrations between 0.001 and 20 μM decreased by 10 to 45% in the presence of 0.3 g L(-1) EPS, with As(III) being affected more strongly than As(V). Also, inactivated Shewanella cells induced desorption of As(V) from the Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide mineral surfaces. ATR-FTIR studies of ternary As(V)-Shewanella-hematite systems indicated As(V) desorption concurrent with attachment of bacterial cells at the hematite surface, and showed evidence of inner-sphere coordination of bacterial phosphate and carboxylate groups at hematite surface sites. Competition between As(V) and bacterial phosphate and carboxylate groups for Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide surface sites is proposed as an important factor leading to increased solubility of As(V). The results from this study have implications for the solubility of As(V) in the soil rhizosphere and in geochemical systems undergoing microbially mediated reduction and indicate that the presence of sorbed oxyanions may affect Fe-reduction and biofilm development at mineral surfaces.     

Comparison between acetic acid and landfill leachates for the leaching of Pb(II), Cd(II), As(V), and Cr(VI) from cementitious wastes

The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) has been widely used to characterize the suitability of solid wastes for disposal in landfills. However, the widespread application of this test for the assessment of wastes disposed in different landfill types is often questionable. This paper investigates the leaching profiles of cement-stabilized heavy metal ions, namely, Pb (II), Cd (II), As(V), and Cr(VI), using acetic acid and leachates from municipal and nonputrescible Australian landfill sites. The leaching profiles of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr using acetic acid were found to be similar to the nonputrescible landfill leachate and differed markedly from the municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate. The additional presence of high amounts of organic and inorganic compounds in the municipal landfill leachate influenced the leaching profiles of these metal ions as compared to the acetic acid and the nonputrescible systems. It is postulated that the organic compounds present in the municipal landfill leachate formed complexes with the Pb and Cd, increasing the mobility of these ions. Moreover, the organic compounds in the municipal landfill leachate induced a reducing environment in the leachate, causing the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). It was also found that the presence of carbonates in the municipal landfill leachate affected the stability of calcium arsenate, with the carbonate competing with arsenate for calcium at high pH, forcing arsenate into the solution.     

Photochemical oscillation of Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio induced by periodic flux of dissolved organic matter

Variation of iron species in the UV-irradiated aqueous solution was examined in the presence of various dissolved organic matter (DOM). Under the irradiation at constant light intensity, a regular oscillation in the ratio of Fe(II) to total iron, Fe(II)/Fe(t), was observed when DOM was periodically added into the solution. In each cycle, the Fe(II)/Fe(t) ratio increased initially and then decreased with concomitant degradation of DOM. The Fe(II)/Fe(t) ratio approached a constant value after the DOM was completely mineralized. The period and amplitude of the oscillation were dependent on DOM structure and its initial concentration, but the ultimate photosteady state was not affected by DOM. It was revealed that both DOM and photoreactive Fe(III) species were indispensable for the fluctuation in Fe(II)/Fe(t) ratio. The ultimate photosteady state originated from the equilibrium between Fe(III) photoreduction and aerobic Fe(II) photooxidation induced simultaneously by UV irradiation. It was the DOM that disturbed these two opposite processes, leading to the oscillation in Fe(II)/ Fe(t) ratio under UV irradiation.