Multidimensional Monitoring of Anaerobic/Aerobic Azo Dye Based Wastewater Treatments by Hyphenated UPLC-ICP-MS/ESI-Q-TOF-MS Techniques

Sulfonated reactive azo dyes, such as Reactive Orange 107, are extensively used in textile industries. Conventional wastewater treatment systems are incapable of degrading and decolorizing reactive azo dyes completely from effluents, because of their stability and resistance to aerobic biodegradation. However, reactive azo dyes are degradable under anaerobic conditions by releasing toxic aromatic amines. To clarify reaction mechanisms and the present toxicity, the hydrolyzed Reactive Orange 107 was treated in anaerobic-aerobic two-step batch experiments. Sulfonated transformation products were identified employing coupled ICP-MS and Q-TOF-MS measurements. Suspected screening lists were generated using the EAWAG-BBD. The toxicity of the reactor content was determined utilizing online measurements of the inhibition of Vibrio fischeri. The OCHEM web platform for environmental modeling was instrumental in the estimations of the environmental impact of generated transformation products.