Degradation mechanism of tributyl phosphate by UV/HO treatment and parameters optimization towards the design of a pilot reactor.

While activated sludge treatment is currently the preferred process for the removal of tributyl phosphate (TBP) at the mg.L level, it is well known that this recalcitrant molecule is incompletely degraded, stimulating research into alternative approaches, such as advanced oxidation. The aim of this study was to characterize the degradation mechanism of TBP during ultraviolet/HO treatment using P NMR, ionic chromatography and total organic carbon analysis.