Experimental Design and Bioassays as Tools to Investigate the Impact of Anodic Oxidation on Progestins Degradation

The present study investigated the degradation of levonorgestrel (LNG) and gestodene (GES) through an anodic oxidation process mediated by active chlorine species. independent variables [LNG]0 [GES]0, current density (mA cm?2), [NaCl]0 (mol L?1) were optimized a response surface methodology (RSM) based on four-level central composite design (CCD). Specific energy consumption allowed CCD-RSM analysis optimization. decay progestins was followed to verify kinetics process. Chlorine monitoring showed that excess Cl? concentration did not mean high hormones removal, as well density. Central point conditions ([NaCl]0 = 0.07 mol L?1, j 32.5 mA cm?2, [LNG]0, [GES]0 1.0 mg proved be best operational option. performance with real pharmaceutical wastewater confirmed model optimization (2.2 ± 0.2 kWh g?1, removals 83.1 0.9% 75.1 2.8% for LNG GES, respectively). selected condition used estrogenic activity acute toxicity assays. first identification initial mixture GES (924 E2-EQ ng L?1). Additionally, electrochemical could decrease this environmental parameter 74.6%. progestin classified Daphnia similis, unit (TU) 2.5 100/EC50%. After electrolysis, hormone solutions reached fourfold increase in TU value, toxicity.