Impact of a Modified Fenton Process on the Degradation of a Component Leached from Microplastics in Bottom Sediments

This paper describes work to assess the possibility of a modified Fenton process being used to remove the hard-to-degrade plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from the bottom sediments of a reservoir. The modifications in question entail iron(II) ions being replaced by iron(III), as well as facilitation of the process using a chelating agent. Analysis further revolved around the impact of such factors as amounts of reagents, reaction of the environment, initial contents of the contaminant, and the presence of other “competing” contaminants also of a hard-to-decompose nature. As the maximum efficiency of DEHP removal obtained did not exceed 30%, the low susceptibility to degradation is made clear, as is the need for earlier desorption of the contaminant from the matrix. The effect of the modified Fenton process on the content of organic matter and dissolved organic carbon was also considered, as was the tendency to cause selected metals and plant nutrients to leach from bottom sediments.