Degradation and mineralization of the emerging pharmaceutical pollutant sildenafil by ozone and UV radiation using response surface methodology.

Pharmaceuticals and their degradation products which are present in wastewater and superficial waters are becoming an ecological issue. This research investigated the degradation and mineralization of synthetic solutions of the pharmaceutical compound sildenafil citrate (SC) by single ozonation and ozonation jointed with UV radiation (O/UV). The effects of initial drug concentration (50-125 mg L), inlet ozone concentration (35-125 g Nm), and UV radiation on SC degradation and decrease of total organic carbon (TOC) were investigated using response surface methodology based on a central composite experimental design.