Oxidative degradation of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in soil via activated sodium persulfate: Performance and mechanisms

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) is an efficient novel brominated flame retardant (NBFR) widely used in electronics, plastics, textiles, and other industries. DBDPE tends to permeate into surrounding environments during its synthesis, utilization, and disposal processes, accumulating in organisms and causing biomagnification effects. In this study, sodium persulfate (Na 2 S 2 O 8 , PS) was employed for the degradation of DBDPE in soil and indicated that elevated reaction temperature and increased initial alkalinity could both enhance the degradation efficiency of DBDPE. Under the optimal conditions (60°C, pH 11), DBDPE degradation efficiency reached 83.01% within 24 h. It was found that the system’s initial alkalinity exhibited negligible effects on the enhancement of activation by temperature, while chloride ions and weakly acidic conditions significantly inhibited DBDPE degradation. This study showed that hydroxyl radicals (HO•) played a dominant role in the degradation process, supplemented by sulfate radicals (SO 4 • − ). ECOSAR predictions revealed a marked reduction in the ecotoxicity of the seven potential degradation products relative to DBDPE, some of which were characterized by lower bromine content and oxygen incorporation. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of DBDPE degradation and a potential remediation strategy for contaminated soil.