Investigation of removal of atrazine in aqueous solutions by biogenic manganese oxides and persulfate

Biogenic manganese oxide (BMO) has been revealed as an ideal material for pollutant removal, due to its remarkable reactivity and structural diversity. In this study, biogenic manganese oxide produced by Pseudomonas putida was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for persulfate (PS) activation to remove atrazine in the aqueous solution. The results showed that 99.9% of atrazine was removed in 300 min at pH 3 and 50 oC. The catalytic effectiveness and stability were reduced in the BMO/ PS system. Free radicals, SO4·- and ·OH, were both involved in atrazine removal. The studied BMO/PS system is environment- friendly and it shortens the treatment time compared with the previously reported methods and improves the biodegradability of atrazine.