Treatment of tetracycline in an aqueous solution with an iron–biochar/periodate system: Influencing factors and mechanisms

ABSTRACT In this study, a potassium ferrate (K2FeO4)-modified biochar (Fe–BC) was prepared and characterized. Afterwards, Fe–BC was applied to activated periodate (PI) to degrade tetracycline (TC), an antibiotic widely used in animal farming. The degradation effects of different systems on TC were compared and the influencing factors were investigated. In addition, several reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the Fe–BC/PI system were identified, and TC degradation pathways were analyzed. Moreover, the reuse performance of Fe–BC was evaluated. The results exhibited that the Fe–BC/PI system could remove almost 100% of TC under optimal conditions of [BC] = 1.09 g/L, initial [PI] = 3.29 g/L, and initial [TC] = 20.3 mg/L. Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, and humic acid inhibited TC degradation to varying degrees in the Fe–BC/PI system due to their quenching effects on ROS. TC was degraded into intermediates and even water and carbon dioxide by the synergistic effect of ROS generated and Fe on the BC surface. Fe–BC was reused four times, and the removal rate of TC was still maintained above 80%, indicating the stable nature of Fe–BC.