These definitions , you can easily trace in any book.Oxidation and reduction are two types of chemical reactions that often work together. Oxidation and reduction reactions involve an exchange of electrons between reactants.Oxidation occurs when a reactant loses electrons during the reaction. Reduction occurs when a reactant gains electrons during the reaction. This often occurs when metals are reacted with acid. While degradation could be mechanical , biiological or micorbiological as well. Biodegradation is the process by which the organic substances i.e. the carbon based substances are broken down by the living organisms. The organic substance is transformed from complex molecules... Decomposition and subsequent mineralization are indispensable for sustaining life on Earth, as they are the only processes enabling massive recycling of chemical elements in the biosphere. Mineralization is the conversion of nutrients and other substances from an organically bound form to a water-soluble inorganic form. Decomposition and mineralization are closely related processes; mineralization is often considered as a subset of decomposition, while decomposition does not always lead to mineralization. Decomposition is generally associated with the carbon cycle whereas mineralization contributes to nutrient cycling.Hope , you find some meaning ..

These definitions , you can easily trace in any book.Oxidation and reduction are two types of chemical reactions that often work together. Oxidation and reduction reactions involve an exchange of electrons between reactants.Oxidation occurs when a reactant loses electrons during the reaction. Reduction occurs when a reactant gains electrons during the reaction. This often occurs when metals are reacted with acid. While degradation could be mechanical , biiological or micorbiological as well. Biodegradation is the process by which the organic substances i.e. the carbon based substances are broken down by the living organisms. The organic substance is transformed from complex molecules... Decomposition and subsequent mineralization are indispensable for sustaining life on Earth, as they are the only processes enabling massive recycling of chemical elements in the biosphere. Mineralization is the conversion of nutrients and other substances from an organically bound form to a water-soluble inorganic form. Decomposition and mineralization are closely related processes; mineralization is often considered as a subset of decomposition, while decomposition does not always lead to mineralization. Decomposition is generally associated with the carbon cycle whereas mineralization contributes to nutrient cycling.Hope , you find some meaning ..

this is a good question. I have read some papers stating "degradation" of As, Pb and other elemental contaminants. I do not like using "degradation" in a way equivalent to "decontamination". simply you can not "degrade" an element to something else.

Hello There!!

Lets put this in simple words ok?

Degradation: This is referenced to the degradation rate, the capability for the wetlands to degrade organic matter, in other words, the eficiency of the ssytem, how well the water treatment plant degrade the organic matter. (genreally degradation is a complex process and its donee by the mixture of microorgsanisms) for desig purpossess you need the reaction rate/velocity, it changes from one country to an other becasue of climate conditions so you must use the corresponding one for your area.

Oxidation/reduction in waste water system refers to the capability of the plant to transform or convert inorganic compunds/pollutants, for this your parameter should be the Chemical Oxigen Demand. IFthis is highger than the Biological then use ehis one in your design.

Mineralization here is refered to process of converting/degrade fat and oils into minerals + CO2. This is donne by specific bacterias and most of the time the process that works better for this is an anoxic reactor. Anoxic bacterias works better for doing this.

Now for your example of insecticide dichlorvos, you will be be interested in wetlands systems that has been proved to degrade pesticides in high rates, wich is very interesting. Theres is a question from here, you have this pesticide at the begining of of your treatment (influent) or you are having this pollutanta at the end of your process (efluent)?

If your pesticide is at the begining you should include an aereation reactor, as most of the pesticides are volitile compounds. Include the half life time of your pesticide  in your design. And ensure a double or triple Ultera Violet step in your tertiary treatment process. Basically light is the biggest contributor for breaking down pesticides.

Hope you find this interesting enough!

Cheers

Adrian