Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can oxidize various organic pollutants. In this study, persulfate/Fe(II) system was utilized in phenol removal, and the effect of various organic and inorganic chelators on Fe(II)-medicated persulfate activation was investigated. The feasibility of persulfate/Fe(II)/chelator in cleanup of phenol-contaminated sediment was confirmed through toxicity assessment. In persulfate/Fe(II) conditions, the rate and extent of phenol removal increased in proportion to persulfate concentration. In chelator injection condition, the rate of phenol removal was inversely proportional to chelator concentration when it was injected above optimum ratio. Thiosulfate showed greater chelation tendency with persulfate than citrate and interfered with persulfate access to Fe(II), making the latter a more suitable chelator for enhancing persulfate activation. In contaminated clay sediment condition, 100% phenol removal was obtained within an hour without chelator, with the removal rate increased up to four times as compared to the rate with chelator addition. A clay sediment toxicity assessment at persulfate:Fe(II):phenol 20:10:1 ratio indicated 71.3% toxicity reduction with 100% phenol removal efficiency. Therefore, persulfate/Fe(II) system demonstrated its potential utility in toxicity reduction and cleanup of organic contaminants in sediments.

Keywords: Activation, Chelator, Persulfate, Phenol, Sediment