PHOTODEGRADATION OF PHENOL USING PHYSIOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL METHODS

Industrial effluents are one of the major provenances of continuous input of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The treatment of such contaminated systems requires several techniques, which include both conventional methods and some special techniques. Phenolic compounds are one of the persistent and lethal components found in wastewater. The contamination due to phenol and its compounds has moderately appeared. The degradation of such compounds can be achieved by using solar energy. Photodegradation or photolysis is a significant process in which pollutants are disclosed to sunlight. The process of photodegradation is enhanced by utilizing photocatalysts, which are regularly modified by incorporating nanoscience. Several physiochemical and biological methods have been developed which are environment friendly and bring complete mineralization of toxic compounds.  Researchers have proved that several microorganisms can transmute organic pollutants into simpler compounds. Such methods proved sustainable and cost-effective.