The decomposition of levofloxacin was performed in an aqueous solution under ultrasound irradiation. The effect of operating conditions, including pH value, reaction time, initial concentration, and ultrasound power on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate was examined at room temperature (23 +/- 2 degrees C). Under a given condition (initial levofloxacin concentration = 20 mg/L, ultrasonic power = 400 W, and pH = 5.86), a 56.6% COD removal rate was obtained after 120 minutes of reaction time. It also was found that 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) of the solution increased evidently after sonochemical treatment, and the ratio of BOD5/COD, which was a good measure for biodegradability, increased from 0 to 0.40, indicating that the biodegradability of the solution was enhanced. Based on the results, it is feasible that sonochemical oxidation can be used for the pretreatment of levofloxacin effluent before biological treatment processes.
Anti-Bacterial Agents Carbon Tetrachloride