Enhanced degradation of trichloroethene by calcium peroxide activated with Fe(III) in the presence of citric acid

Trichloroethene (TCE) degradation by Fe(III)- activated calcium peroxide (CP) in the presence of citric acid (CA) in aqueous solution was investigated. The results demonstrated that the presence of CA enhanced TCE degradation significantly by increasing the concentration of soluble Fe(III) and promoting H 2 O 2 generation. The generation of HO• and O 2 – • in both the CP/Fe(III) and CP/Fe(III)/CA systems was confirmed with chemical probes. The results of radical scavenging tests showed that TCE degradation was due predominantly to direct oxidation by HO•, while O 2 – • strengthened the generation of HO• by promoting Fe(III) transformation in the CP/Fe (III)/CA system. Acidic pH conditions were favorable for TCE degradation, and the TCE degradation rate decreased with increasing pH. The presence of Cl – , HCO 3 – , and humic acid (HA) inhibited TCE degradation to different extents for the CP/Fe(III)/CA system. Analysis of Cl–production suggested that TCE degradation in the CP/Fe (III)/CA system occurred through a dechlorination process. In summary, this study provided detailed information for the application of CA-enhanced Fe(III)-activated calcium peroxide for treating TCE contaminated groundwater.