Integrated effects of selected ions on 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-removal by O3/H2O2

Considering the components of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)-containing water, this paper aims to research the integrated effects of ions on TNT-removal by O(3)/H(2)O(2) through the selection of CO(3)(-), HCOO(-), Cu(2+) and Al(3+). In view of TNT-removal rate and its constant, we find that the test with HCO(3)(-) or HCOO(-) or Cu(2+) results in lower TNT-removal rate and its constant than control test. Therefore, it may conclude that HCO(3)(-) or HCOO(-) and Cu(2+) has a potential to inhibit the efficacy of O(3)/H(2)O(2), and that their inhibitions increase with an order from HCOO(-) to Cu(2+) and to HCO(3)(-). However, Al(3+) is an exception, because it has a potential to improve the efficacy. When the two selected ions coexist, HCO(3)(-) and HCOO(-) inhibit the efficacy. The inhibition is greater than that of either one alone, and also greater than their sum, and thus the integrated effect of HCO(3)(-) and HCOO(-) follows the synergistic effect. The inhibition of Cu(2+) and HCOO(-) coexistence also is greater than that either alone, but smaller than their sum, and thus their integrated effect follows the independent effect. The integrated effect of Al(3+) and HCOO(-) follows the addition effect.