LE3 .A278 2012

2012

Tong, Anthony

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Chemistry

Chemistry

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides and phenoxyacetic acid (PA) herbicides are among the most widely used chemical classes of pesticides. These pesticides can cause adverse health effects in humans and aquatic organisms, and some are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens. This work aimed to develop a novel method for treating pesticides in water using membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. A PA herbicide mix and five OP pesticide formulations were subjected to MBR treatment. Target analytes were extracted from effluent samples using solid phase extraction before separation by gas or liquid chromatography and detection with selective ion monitoring mass spectrometry. Removal rates for OP targets ranged from 84% to 98%. The herbicide 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was reduced by 99% within ten days. Removal rates of 60% and 65% for persistent herbicides, mecoprop and dicamba, were achieved in 110 days. MBR was demonstrated as an effective, environmentally friendly and compact method pesticide wastewater treatment.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:233