Current field of research:
The application of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) for the elimination of organic micropollutants in waste water has shown to be effectual. However, some species, such as medical diagnostics (e.g. Gadolinium based contrast agents) have not been investigated in research projects, as they are considered to be toxicological irrelevant. For complexing agents in general, data are rather incomplete.
Yet, main concern in applying AOP`s is the generation of transformation products with unknown toxicological relevance. Here we focus on reaction mechanisms of complexing agents and complex ions with ozone, hydroxyl radicals and sulfate radicals (in waste water matrices). In course of this kinetics, elimination rates and the potential formation of transformation products will be examined.


Publications:
Gabriel, F.L.P., M. Cyris, W. Giger, and H.P.E. Kohler, ipso-substitution: A general biochemical and biodegradation mechanism to cleave alpha-quaternary alkylphenols and bisphenol A. Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2007. 4(9):2123-2137.
Gabriel, F.L.P., M. Cyris, N. Jonkers, W. Giger, K. Guenther, and H.P.E. Kohler, Elucidation of the ipso-substitution mechanism for side-chain cleavage of alpha-quaternary 4-nonylphenols and 4-t-butoxyphenol in Sphingobium xenophagum Bayram. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2007. 73(10):3320-3326.