A novel advanced oxidation process, combined zero-valent iron and sulfite (Fe⁰/sulfite) system containing oxygen, was firstly developed to efficiently degrade organic pollutants at weak acidic and neutral conditions by selecting X-3B as a target compound. The removal of X-3B was attributed to the formed reactive radicals, such as SO₄ ^-, SO₅ ^- and HO^[rad], in the Fe⁰/sulfite system, and SO₄ ^- was evidenced as the principal reactive species. The quite low removal efficiency of X-3B (less than 5%) after reaction for 90 min with purging nitrogen gas suggests oxygen to be an essential factor for producing SO₄ ^- in the system. Optimal dosages of Fe⁰ and sulfite were suggested to be 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM, respectively, in the system as both the two chemicals would scavenge the reactive radicals at overdosing. The presence of 2 mM bicarbonate significantly inhibited the removal of X-3B from 74.1% to 37.5% in the system. Halide ions inhibited the removal of X-3B following a trend that Cl⁻ <Br⁻ <I⁻. HSO₃ ⁻, being effective in complexion of Fe(II) and transferring Fe(III) to Fe(II), is the main species during pHs 4–6, which results in the good reuse of Fe⁰ and the highest removal efficiency of X-3B at weak acidic condition. Fe⁰/sulfite system was also evidenced to be effective in the treatment of actual textile effluents along with improving biodegradability, and the removal of nitrobenzene, methylparaben, bisphenol A, imipramine and amitriptyline. Overall, this study provided a cheap and easy operational advanced oxidation process in treatment of aqueous organic pollutants.

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We report herein the use of ferric iron (Fe 3 + ) and sulfite (SO 3 2 −) to activate persulfate (S 2 O 8 2 −). Decolorization and mineralization of reactive Brilliant Red X-3B (a model azo dye) by an Fe(III)/sulfite/persulfate triple system have been investigated in aqueous solutions. Initial pH and dis- solved oxygen are important factors influencing X-3B decolorization in this system. The rapid decoloriza- tion process occurred in 30 min and about 85% of X-3B was decolorized in this triple system at initial pH 6.0. Moreover, about 66.4% of the TOC was removed through reaction for 36 h. The generation of SO 4 •−and HO •were identified through radical quenching experiments and by electron spin resonance (ESR), which contributed to 61.1% and 28.9% of the oxidation process. Degradation products of X-3B were iden- tified by LC-ESI-MS, and the degradation pathway was proposed. Furthermore, other organic pollutants, such as Orange II, metoprolol, imipramine, naproxen, estradiol, and amitriptyline, could also be efficiently degraded in this triple system. The results of the present work suggest that the Fe(III)/sulfite/persulfate triple system can be used for the rapid decolorization and partial mineralization of dyeing wastewater at near-neutral pH values.@en