AWWA WQTC55067

The goal of this work was to assess the implementability of an advanced oxidation process (AOP), using ozone (O3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), for efficient removal of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated groundwaters. The four waters selected varied in alkalinity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content, which had a significant affect on MTBE degradation potential as well as bromate formation. A hydroxyl radical probe was selected, para-chlorobenzoic acid (pCBA) to indirectly assess hydroxyl radical exposure during reactions at differing oxidation levels and H2O2:O3 ratios. Exposure estimations were shown to be useful in developing kinetic and mechanistic model predictions of MTBE degradation, although an alternative radical probe compound was determined to be needed for select water types. Predictions of MTBE degradation byproduct formation were complicated by secondary oxidation, hydrolysis and other potential reactions, and detectability. Includes 23 references, tables, figures.