Degradation of Pyridine by Ultrasound: A Common Refractory Pollutant in Wastewater Effluents

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sistla, Srinivas

Affiliations: Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500007, India

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The present communication reports the results pertaining to ultrasound treatment of pyridine in aqueous phase. The pyridine degradation by ultrasonic waves (50 kHz) was investigated at 33±2°C by monitoring changes in pyridine concentration, pH, dissolved oxygen (D.O) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). After sonication for 60 mins, the pyridine concentration gradually decreased to 18.8 mg/L at an average rate of 0.27 mg/min. pH of the sonicated pyridine aqueous mixture has decreased from 8 to 7.2 during the irradiation. D.O increased from 1.83 mg/L to 2.64 mg/L after 60 mins of sonication. Pattern of D.O profiles demonstrated higher uptake of oxygen by microbia in case of sonicated sample. The biodegradation of pyridine before and after sonication shows increased degree of degradation after sonication.

Keywords: Ultrasound irradiation, pyridine, aerial oxidation, biodegradation, oxygen uptake

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 89-93, 2005