Determination of paracetamol, diclofenac and carbamazepine degradability by ozonation technology

In this study ozonolytic degradation of paracetamol, diclofenac and carbamazepine were evaluated. Effect of pH and concentration of drug solution on ozonolytic degradation were studied. In order to determine of pH effect on degradation, pH 3, 5, 7 and 9 were fulfilled. Optimum pH was determined to be 7 for paracetamol, diclofenac and to be 3 for carbamazepine, respectively. The 99% drug degradation was observed within first 30 min for paracetamol and diclofenac, 10 min for carbamazepine at 100 mg/L concentration. The total organic carbon (TOC) removal was determined 32 % for carbamazepine, 16.1 % for diclofenac and 17.5 % for paracetamol after 60 min ozonation. Respirometric Biologic Oxygen Demand (BOD5) was showed that ozonolytic degradation products environmentally friendly due to degradation products degradable in activated sludge, river water and sea water. According to test results ozonation is a highly effective way to remove the drugs from aqueous solution.