Olive mill wastewater (OMW) appears as an interesting and innovative natural alternative to synthetic chelating agents of iron in solar photo-Fenton processes at circumneutral pH due to its high polyphenol content, valorizing wastewater typically found in sunny countries. The aim of this work was the reuse of OMW for the elimination of other recalcitrant microcontaminants: terbutryn, chlorfenvinphos, diclofenac, and pentachlorophenol. Highly diluted OMW (1:1500) was employed to keep the iron in solution at circumneutral pH. Eighty percent degradation of microcontaminants was achieved, although the reaction rate was slow compared with conventional photo-Fenton process, due to Fe-polyphenol complex instability at neutral pH. At pH around 4 (considerable superior to the photo-Fenton optimal pH 2.8), Fe-polyphenol complex stability was promoted: solar UV energy required was 25 times lower to reach the objective of 80% microcontaminants degradation, which was attained in a single step, without coupling with other processes. Operating photo-Fenton at slightly acidic pH was proposed for the first time for possible reuse of treated wastewater in crop irrigation, requiring minimum pH adjustment by simply mixing it with natural wastewater. Graphical abstract.
Keywords: Advanced oxidation processes; Circumneutral pH; Contaminants of emerging concern; Olive mill wastewater reuse; Polyphenols; Wastewater valorization.