The Potential Use of Ozone and Peroxidase for Removal of Aromatic Compounds from Water by Polymerization

Abstract

Oxidation organics by ozone has been the object of extensive studies. A great number of these concern the aromatic ring cleavage, but polymerization by ozone or enzyme, such as peroxidase, was not greatly studied. In this paper, the effects of ozone or enzyme on the polymerization of dichlorophenol, under the conditions of potable water treatment are studied using HPLC, scintillation counting, exclusion chromotography, and GC-MS. These techniques permit the characterization and identification of polymers.Even at low concentrations these compounds may cause taste and odor problems, or represent a health risk based on toxic and mutagenic considerations.