Biodegradability Improvement of Water-Soluble-Polymers in Wastewater in a Continuous UV/H2 O2 Photoreactor

Water-soluble polymers have a diverse range of applications from industrial raw materials to household product ingredients such as detergent capsules. However, the ubiquitous presence of these chemicals in both industrial and municipal wastewater streams is of concern. Although present in high and low concentrations in industrial and municipal wastewaters, respectively, these polymers are not easily biodegradable mainly due to their complex and lengthy structures. Moreover, their high solubility in water renders them invisible and often overlooked [1]. Consequently, their persistence and potential accumulation in the environment could lead to long-term environmental risks. Thus, a better understanding of the environmental fate of non-biodegradable water-soluble polymers is essential for the development of effective management strategies to minimize their impact on the environment