Removal of PAHs from road drainage system by ultrasonication

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to natural and anthropogenic processes are widely spread substances in the environment. It was proved that some of these pollutants can cause serious humans health problems such as hemolytic anemia, liver, cataracts and retina damage, neurological diseases, and primarily some PAHs are cancerogenic. These substances are hardly removable biologically so modern techniques such as ultrasonication should be developed. The articles reveal the removal effectiveness of 7 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which were recognized in water from highway drainage system by using the ultrasound treatment process. Results showed that after 45 min of sonication, the average removal of PAHs reached 59%. The reduction of analyzed substances was proportional to treated time and irradiation amplitude. Furthermore, because of ozone addition to the sonicated samples, the efficiency of the treatment was significantly higher. The average PAHs degradation rate at the 10 mgL–1 dosage of O3 assisted with ultrasonication was equal to 96%.