Photocatalytic and Persulfate-Based Processes for Isothiazolinones Degradation in Aqueous Matrices

Abstract

The motivation for this doctoral thesis stems from the need to address the issue of water pollution, a critical challenge affecting the sustainability of this vital natural resource. The universal access to clean water and sanitation is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations). Pollution and water scarcity pose a challenge faced by contemporary society. The exponential growth of the global population and the consequent industrial expansion have increased the demand on water resources, while pollution from industrial, agricultural and urban sources continues to escalate. The lack of access to effective water treatment technologies in many regions exacerbates this environmental crisis. Inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure has made the discharge of untreated wastewater a major contributor to the environmental degradation, with serious consequences for human health, terrestrial and marine ecosystems and global biodiversity. In addition, water pollution undermines the efficiency of sanitation systems and exacerbates the scarcity of safe drinking water. Addressing these challenges requires the development and implementation of advanced and accessible water treatment technologies. Equally important is raising public awareness and establishing robust government policies to mitigate water pollution and ensure the preservation of this vital resource for future generations. Currently, contaminants of emerging concern represent primary critical challenge in terms of treating polluted water, as these compounds, mainly originating from anthropogenic activities, often persist in natural watercourses despite the conventional wastewater treatment processes. In the present doctoral thesis, two derivatives of isothiazolinones (methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT)) have been selected as representative emerging contaminants due to their extensive use as biocides in a multitude Abstract 14 of industrial and household products. The limited scientific research on the presence and effective treatment of these substances in the aquatic environment was the main motivation for this study.