Plant and Soil Science

Ozonation as a means of increasing the ecological safety of agrosystems: Purification of soils and irrigation water from toluene and its derivatives

Andrii Halstian
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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of liquid-phase ozonation of methylbenzenes as a method for neutralising aromatic xenobiotics in surface waters and soils of agroecosystems. Spectrophotometric, iodometric, chromatographic, and elemental analysis methods were used to study the dynamics of aromatic ring destruction, the formation of intermediate and final products, and to determine the reactivity of arene derivatives. It was established that the main pathway for the conversion of methylbenzenes is the ozonolytic cleavage of the benzene ring, with the formation of aliphatic ozonides. The yield of benzoic acid did not exceed 5.8%, which indicates insignificant stabilisation of the aromatic fragment. For p-xylene, the degree of mineralisation reached over 70% after 30 minutes of ozonation. The presence of donor substituents in the benzene ring (–CH₃, –OH, –NH₂) contributed to deep core destruction, while acceptor substituents (–NO₂, –COOH) reduced its reactivity, changing the direction of the reaction to the side alkyl chain. Derivatives with functional groups capable of nucleophilic attack (–OH, –NH₂, –SH) were characterised by a significantly higher reaction rate (up to 25 times) compared to toluene. The acylation of such groups with acetic anhydride lowered the reaction rate and increased the selectivity for the formation of stable products. Particular attention was paid to the composition and structure of the reaction products. Peroxides formed as a result of the destruction of the aromatic ring have different structures, ranging from monomeric to oligomeric forms. They were highly soluble in acetic acid but were easily precipitated or removed from the solution, which was a key advantage of the process in water and soil purification applications. The data obtained demonstrated the potential of liquid-phase ozonation as an effective tool for the selective and controlled neutralisation of aromatic compounds in soils and waters for agricultural use. The results obtained can be used by ecologists, agrochemists, and water purification specialists to increase the ecological safety of agricultural areas and irrigation systems contaminated with aromatic compounds

Keywords

ozone; methylbenzenes; destruction; peroxides; water purification; kinetics

Suggested citation
Halstian, A. (2025). Ozonation as a means of increasing the ecological safety of agrosystems: Purification of soils and irrigation water from toluene and its derivatives. Plant and Soil Science, 16(3), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.31548/plant3.2025.22
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