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Diisopropylthiourea (DPT), an intermediate of a widely used cephalosporin, has been found to be one of the most refractory components in cephalosporin synthesis wastewater. This compound cannot be completely removed by conventional biological processes due to its antimicrobial property. Ionizing radiation has been applied in the decomposition of refractory pollutants in recent years and has proved effective. Therefore, the decomposition of DPT by γ-irradiation was studied. The compound was irradiated at the dose of 150-2000 Gy before a change of concentration and UV absorption of the solutions was detected. Furthermore, the decomposition kinetics and radiation yield (G-value) of DPT was investigated. The results of radiation experiments on DPT-containing aqueous showed that the DPT can be effectively degraded by γ-radiation. DPT concentration decreased with increasing absorbed doses. G-values of radiolytic decomposition for DPT (20 mg/L) were 1.04 and 0.47 for absorbed doses of 150 and 2000 Gy, respectively. The initial concentration and pH of the solutions affected the degradation. As the concentration of substrate increased, the decomposition was reduced. The decrease of removal rate and radiation efficacy under alkaline condition suggested that lower pH values benefit the γ-induced degradation. UV absorption from 190 to 250 nm decreased after radiation while that from 250 to 300 nm increased, indicating the formation of by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial wastewaters containing 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), a widely used chemical additive, usually cannot be treated properly by conventional biological methods, thus cause an environmental risk. Ionizing radiation was proposed as a method for abatement of several refractory pollutants from water. The paper investigated MBT degradation using irradiation technology. The decomposition kinetics was described, and the transformation and the change of biodegradability were discussed. The results of gamma radiation experiments on MBT-containing aqueous solutions indicated that reactive radicals resulting from water radiolysis effectively degrade MBT and improve the biodegradability of the solutions. At a 20 mg/L MBT concentration, the removal of 82% was achieved at the absorbed dose of 1.2 kGy. The results of specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) test showed that MBT was decomposed into biodegradable products, after irradiation at 20 kGy. Radicals attacked the sulfur atoms of the studied molecule leading to the release of sulfate ions, but the mineralization of organic carbons was rather weak. Initial concentration significantly affected the degradation efficacy of MBT by gamma radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]