Radiolytic Degradation of Humic Acid: an Alternative to Complement the Chemical Test of Water Resources

The process of the radiolytic degradation is a new method of mineralization by advanced oxidation of the water that can be applied for the removal of humic compounds in all water systems. However, the deep mineralization of dissolved humic acid requires very high absorbed doses (tens of kilograys) because of the aromatic nature of the main units of humic acid and the well-known chemical and biochemical stability of its molecules. The effects degradation and absorbed dose of humic acid present in an aqueous solution were investigated on a laboratory scale upon gamma-irradiation from a Co-60 and electron beam source, to assessment the efficiency of decreasing of humic acid presence. We are studying the absorbed doses required to remove 50% and 90% of initial humic acid concentrations in distilled water solutions. Current results show a significant improvement the effectiveness of radiolytic degradation. Gamma-irradiation and electron beams are being used out in distilled water solutions. We are checking decolorization of naturally occurring in degraded at low absorbed doses in distilled water solutions (dilute humic acid solutions) and in occurring precipitation. Additionally, chemical analysis of the total organic carbon (TOC) which is one of the products degradation by irradiation and UV–visible spectroscopic changes were also evaluated by the parameters relating to the concomitant removal of the total organic carbon as well as by the ratios using absorption values at discrete wavelengths.