Ultrasonic irradiation-induced degradation of low-concentration bisphenol A in aqueous solution.

The treatment of bisphenol A (BPA)-contaminated water has attracted great interest recently. In this contribution, ultrasound (US) was applied to remove low-concentration BPA in aqueous solution at the frequency of 20 kHz, and the effects of ultrasonic intensity and ozone on BPA removal were evaluated for the first time. Considering the coexistence of halomethanes and BPA in chlorinated drinking water, BPA was degraded under US in the presence of CCl(4). In addition, the main intermediates resulting from BPA ultrasonic degradation were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. On the basis of these studies, OH radical induced oxidation was identified as the major destruction pathway during BPA sonolysis.