Influence of some groundwater and surface waters constituents on the degradation of 4-chlorophenol by the Fenton reaction

The Fenton reaction has been applied to the degradation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solutions containing various anions. The rate of the reaction was found to decrease in the following order of anions (at the same concentrations): C1O4− NO3− > SO42− > C−> > HPO42− > HCO3−. Degradation of the pollutant containing the above anions at concentrations typical of those found in groundwater and surface waters was affected in a similar way. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of these anions on the rates of the oxidation of ferrous anion as well as on their role in the scavenging of hydroxyl radical.