Electrokinetic Remediation for Environmental Security and Sustainability

22Chlorophenolic Compounds and Their Transformation Products by the Heterogeneous Fenton Process: A Review

Cetin Kantar and Ozlem Oral

Department of Environmental Engineering, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale 17020, Turkey

22.1 Introduction

Chlorophenols (CPs) are prevalent refractory organic contaminants that enter natural systems through industrial activities involving the production of paper, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, antiseptics, dye, and plastics [1–3]. CPs have also been used as wood preservatives in many countries [4]. In addition, they are produced as reaction by‐products during chlorine disinfection of drinking water, biodegradation of chlorinated organic compounds, and incomplete incineration of organic hazardous waste [2, 5, 6]. Worldwide CP production exceeding 200 000 tons per year has been reported in the literature [6]. Due to their low biodegradability, high toxicity, and mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic characteristics [7–9], several CPs are classified as priority toxic compounds by the US EPA under the Clean Water Act [10] and by the European Parliament under Decision No. 2455/2001/CE.

Chlorophenols are phenolic compounds with one [e.g. 2‐CP, 3‐CP, 4‐CP, etc.] or more chlorine atoms [e.g. 2,3‐DCP, 2,3,4‐TCP, 2,3,5‐TCP, 2,4,5‐TCP, 2,3,4,6‐TeCP, PCP] attached to the benzene ring. A list of chlorophenolic compounds with selected physical and chemical properties is given in Table  22.1. The toxicity of chlorophenols ...