Abstract

A combined chemical oxidation (catechol-driven Fenton reaction) followed by a biological treatment was used to degrade Fe(III)-EDTA (1.34 mM). The chemical treatment was inspired in fungal non-enzymatic wood rot mechanisms that use dihydroxybenzens in order to promote the Fenton reaction to breakdown wood structures. This chemical pre-oxidation used catechol (50 ?M) and H2O2, (20 mM) and the reaction products were identified by GC-MS. In addition, a biological treatment was coupled using the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The combined chemical biological treatment achieved 100% EDTA degradation, 68 % total organic carbon removal and 90% iron removal. © Selper Ltd, 2004.