Ultrasound-Assisted Persulfate as a Promising Technology for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants

Emerging contaminants pose a significant and urgent environmental challenge, as their presence can have detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health. In response to this challenge, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have emerged as a promising solution. Recently, there has been a notable surge in interest in sulfate-based AOPs, driven by the distinct advantages offered by sulfate radicals (SO4^−·) over hydroxyl radicals ^·OH. Notably, research into the performance of the ultrasound-enhanced persulfate (US/PS) system for removing various emerging contaminants from water has demonstrated high efficiency, ranging from 51% to 100%. However, this efficiency is subject to significant variability depending on factors such as the nature of the pollutants, initial concentrations of both oxidants and pollutants, and reaction time. Understanding these factors, among others, is crucial for optimizing treatment processes, reducing costs, and facilitating broader adoption of AOPs on a large scale.