This project examines the degradation of 1,4-dioxane in water using ultraviolet light (UV) photolysis and hydrogen peroxide oxidation as well as the societal dynamics associated with 1,4- dioxane release sites. UV and hydrogen peroxide treatment doses ranging from 1:1 to 1:15 (1,4-dioxane: hydrogen peroxide molar ratio). The concentration of 1,4-dioxane was quantified with gas chromatography (GC). Each dose of hydrogen peroxide effectively degraded the 1,4-dioxane. Ninety percent removal of 1,4-dioxane was achieved with a 15-minute exposure time and a molar ratio of 1:5. The study of median household income and poverty rates of towns in which the 1,4-dioxane was released indicated a correlation between social determents and presence of 1,4-dioxane.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Teixeira, Jean-Luc
• Wyman, Heidi Rosaline
• Meunier, Adam J.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042814-162924

Advisor

• Faber, Brenton
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2014

Date created

• 2014-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Interdisciplinary
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright