Study of ethinylestradiol degradation by photolysis and photocatalysis heterogeneous

Abstract

The ethinylestradiol (EE2) has been considered the major endocrine disruptors found in the environment. The EE2 is not easily biodegraded, being only about 50% removed by conventional wastewater treatment. In this context, oxidative processes are relevant options in order to degrade these substances. With the above, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a method for the detection and quantification of EE2 in aqueous matrices by high-performance liquid chromatography associated with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) and applies it to evaluate the degradation of the hormone through photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis. The method developed and validated was sensitive, selective, accurate, precise and efficient. The photocatalytic degradation system showed great efficiency in the degradation of ethinylestradiol present in water (about 99% at 120 minutes after the photocatalysis and 75% relative to photolysis).