Comment on 'Oxidative Degradation of Organic Compounds Using Zero-Valent Iron in the Presence of Natural Organic Matter Serving As an Electron Shuttle'

摘要

In a recent study, Kang and Choi (1) investigated the oxidative degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and clofibric acid (CA) by metallic iron (Fe°) as promoted by natural organic matters acting as electron shuttle to mediate electron transfer from the surface of Fe° to dissolved O_2. Their results indicated that both humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) can serve as electron shuttle, while enhancing the production of Fe~(II) and H_2O_2 that subsequently initiates the OH radical mediated oxidation of 4-CP and CA through Fenton reaction. However, there is strong evidence that the conclusions of Kang and Choi are not supported by their own experimental data.