VIII Encontro sobre Aplicaes Ambientais de Processos Oxidativos Avanados

II Congresso Iberoamericano de Processos Oxidativos Avanados

3 a 6 de novembro de 2015
Escola de Engenharia-UFMG - Belo Horizonte MG - Brasil

PHYTOTOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF AMARANTH DYE AQUEOUS

SOLUTION TREATED BY PHOTO-FENTON
AVALIAO DA FITOTOXICIDADE DE SOLUO AQUOSA DO CORANTE
AMARANTO TRATADO VIA FOTO-FENTON
Denis R. S. Lima1*; Aline M. Lodis1; Isabela L. A. Almeida1, Vanderlei I. Paula1
1

Centro Universitrio Padre Anchieta (UniAnchieta), Faculdade de Engenharia Qumica, Av.

Doutor Adoniro Ladeira, 94, Jundia/SP, Brasil.

ABSTRACT
In this work was analyzed the toxicity of an aqueous solution
containing amaranth azo-dye, treated by photo-Fenton process
using lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa) as test organisms. Effluent
aliquots were taken for color analysis and at the end of
experiment, were performed conductivity and toxicity analysis
through the detrmination of the inhibition of growth of lettuce
roots and rootlets and the effect on seed germination. The
photo-Fenton treatment increased slightly the solution
toxicity. However, complete color removal was observed in
the first 15 min of irradiation indicating that despite the color
removal, were generated more toxic compounds than original
ones.
INTRODUCTION
Environmental pollution is a major concern in modern world. Population
growth, agricultural and industrial activities lead an increase in water usage, which is
returned to the environment, often without proper treatment. Amaranth dye is an organic
compound widely used in food and beverage industries with potential toxicity effects on
humans. It can be found as a pollutant in aquatic environments and has been classified
as an endocrine disruptor (STETER, 2014).
Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) can be used for degradation of several
organic compounds including dyes, due to the generation of highly oxidizing species,
mainly hydroxyl radicals (PALCIO, 2012).
The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxicity of amaranth dye in
aqueous solution after photo-Fenton treatment using L. sativa seeds as test-organism.
METHODOLOGY
Amaranth Solution (AS) at concentration of 100mg.L-1 was treated by photoFenton process in a laboratory scale reactor. The reactor consisted of a wooden box
internally revested with aluminium foil and a high pressure Hg vapor lamp (250W)
without protective glass, coupled to a recirculation system with 5 liters capacity.
Color removal were monitored using visible spectroscopy at 520 nm
wavelength. AS aliquots were taken at the treatment times of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

VIII Encontro sobre Aplicaes Ambientais de Processos Oxidativos Avanados

II Congresso Iberoamericano de Processos Oxidativos Avanados
3 a 6 de novembro de 2015
Escola de Engenharia-UFMG - Belo Horizonte MG - Brasil

minutes. Initial/final conductivity were determined using a portable conductivimeter.

Lettuce seed bioassays were carried out based in methodology reported on literature
(SOBRERO & RONCO, 2004). The tests were performed in triplicate for each
condition. The following effects were obtained after testing: relative germination,
relative root growth inhibition and relative rootlet growth inhibition.

% RELATIVE
GERMINATION

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The photodegradation conditions (H2O2=1ml/L, FeSO4=15mg/L and pH 2,5)
used in the experiments were previously optimized. Toxicity experiments were
performed in brute AS, pH=2.5 and pH=7.0, with different dilutions.
The increase in discoloration is more intense in the first 15 minutes, removing
almost 100% of color, which indicates a rupture of the characteristic organic structures,
mainly dyes such as the azo groups and aromatic rings. Although discoloration results,
mineralization is the most interesting characteristic. Its difficult to mineralize organic
structures to CO2, H2O and inorganic ions. The evolution of conductivity of irradiated
samples starts high in pH 2,5 due to pH adjustments and reactants used. However,
conductivity increases after treatment, possibly indicating mineralization of the organic
structures of the azo dye.
The evaluation of Lactuca sativa seeds germination and root and rootlet
development are representative indicators of the capacity of plant growth in potentially
toxic media because they are largely sensitive to adverse external factors in the first
days of development.
Figure 1 shows the results of relative germination, which was not evidenced
significant decrease in germination (all conditions above 90%).
100
95
90
85
80

100% AS

Brute
80% AS

Treated
(pH=7)
50% AS

Treated
(pH=2,5)

30% AS

10% AS

Figure 1 Relative germination results of amaranth solution brute and treated.

Figure 2 presents the rootlets growth inhibition, where there was no significant
inhibition in any dilution of AS. Phytotoxicity of AS containing amaranth dye increased
after 30 minutes of photo-Fenton treatment, which can be verified by growth inhibition
of lettuce roots higher than the raw effluent, even after pH adjustment. Generation of
more toxic products has been already observed in the literature after photo-Fenton
treatment (LUNA, 2014). Advanced oxidation processes can produce various
degradation subproducts with toxic effects, during degradation of several organic
compounds.

VIII Encontro sobre Aplicaes Ambientais de Processos Oxidativos Avanados

II Congresso Iberoamericano de Processos Oxidativos Avanados
3 a 6 de novembro de 2015
Escola de Engenharia-UFMG - Belo Horizonte MG - Brasil

Brute

Treated (pH=7) Treated (pH=2,5)

% Inhibition of root
growth (%IRG)

% Inhibition of rootlet
growth (%IRltG)

35
25
15
5

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

-5

-15
100% AS

80% AS

50% AS

30% AS

10% AS

100% SW

Brute
80% SW

Treated
(pH=7)
50% SW

30% SW

Figure 2 Rootlets Growth Inhibition / Roots Growth Inhibition

CONCLUSIONS
The solutions analyzed (amaranth azo dye) treated by photo-Fenton process
presented good color reduction (above 99%) and increase of the conductivity, indicating
mineralization of the compound. The subproducts formed after 30 minutes of treatment
did not inhibited the percentage of germination or rootlets growth significantly when
compared with raw effluent.
The toxicity found in the AS (root development) was higher than that observed
for raw effluent, even when pH is adjusted, which indicates that despite color removal,
more toxic products were created after photo-Fenton reaction.
Further toxicity tests with other species of interest (different trophic levels) may
produce better results and confirm the ecotoxicity of the process through additional
tests.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to UniAnchieta by research fellowships.
REFERENCES
LUNA, L. A. V. de; SILVA, T. H. G. da; PUPO, R. F. N.; KUMMROW, F.;
UMBUZEIRO, G. A. Aquatic toxicity of dyes before and after photo-Fenton treatment.
Journal of Hazardous Materials. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Bv, v. 276, p. 332-338,
2014.
PALCIO, S. M.; NOGUEIRA, D. A.; MANENTI, D. R.; MDENES, A. N.;
QUIONES, F. R. E.; BORBA, F. H. Estudo da toxicidade de efluente txtil tratado por
foto-Fenton artificial utilizando as espcies Lactuca sativa e Artemia salina.
ENGEVISTA, V. 14, n. 2. p. 127-134, 2012.
SOBRERO, M. S.; RONCO, A. Ensayo de toxicidade aguda con semillas de lechuga.
In: Ensayos Toxicologicos y Mtodos de Evaluacion de calidad de Aguas:
Estandarizacin, intercalibracin, resultados y aplicaciones. Faculdad de Ciencias
Fsicas e Matemticas Ed. Chile, cap. 4, 2004.
STETER, J. R.; BARROS, W. R. P.; LANZA, M. R. V.; MOTHEO, A. J.
Electrochemical and sonoelectrochemical processes applied to amaranth dye
degradation. Chemosphere, 117, 200-207, 2014.

Treated
(pH=2,5)
10% SW