Enhancement of Biodegradability of 1,4-Dioxane induced by O3/H2O2

The degradation of 1,4-dioxane was investigated on a laboratory scale to estimate the enhancement of biodegradability and the effect of the reaction products on the water environment. The degradation of 1,4-dioxane by ozonation with hydrogen peroxide was proceeded rapidly compared with that by ozonation at pH 6 to 8. As a result, the biodegradability represented as the ratio of biochemical oxygen demand to dissolved organic carbon of the reaction products was higher than that of original 1,4-dioxane. The decrease in dissolved organic carbon concentration of the reaction products was observed during the incubation in the biodegradation test, showing the enhancement of biodegradability. The biotoxicity of the reaction products measured by the Microtox test showed an initial increase followed by a decrease with increasing reaction time.