Use of Zinc dioxide probes to monitor biological and chemical contamination of water for civil and military purposes

Abstract

Mainly organic pollutants, and their random wide application threatens human health and ecosystems. It is clear that detoxifying toxic insecticides from aquatic systems remains a global priority. In this study, a zinc oxide nanocatalyst with suitable properties was synthesized to achieve complete degradation of some insecticides from aqueous media. ZnO catalyst was used in normal and nano size as part of an advanced oxidation process in the presence of H2O2 and UV rays. The complete detoxification of the tested pesticides after treatment with the most effective process (ZnO(s)/H2O2/UV) was then investigated by biochemical treatment research. The effect of ZnO water treatment was also investigated. Interestingly, this study reported that the degradation rates of the investigated insecticides were faster using nano-sized ZnO catalysts than plain ZnO catalysts as well as zinc dioxide probes. In this sense, complete decomposition of the investigated insecticides (100%) in the ZnO(s)/H2O2/UV system was achieved after 320 min of irradiation. Water treatment with zinc oxide nanocatalyst improved the quality of water parameters. Together, the advanced oxidation processes using ZnO nanocatalyst can be considered as a promising treatment technology for the complete detoxification of methomyl and dimethoate in water. However, further research is warranted to identify potential breakdown products.