BACKGROUNDThe development of a low cost and simple treatment process is necessary for toxic organic effluents. This work investigated the feasibility of the oxidative degradation of toxic nitrocellulose acid wastewater (NAW) using low-grade MnO2 ore as a cheap oxidant and the simultaneous release of Mn2+ for preparation of electrolytic manganese metal (EMM). RESULTSUnder optimal conditions of 100 g L-1 MnO2 ore, 200-mesh ore particles, concentrated H2SO4 to NAW ratio of 0.12:1, contact time 120 min, stirring speed 160 rpm and temperature 90 degrees C, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal of the NAW and Mn release efficiency reached 98% and 97%, respectively. The TOC removal was significantly correlated with the release of Mn. The inert layer model best described the extraction behavior of Mn and apparent activation energy was 54.1 kJ mol(-1). Concomitant with TOC removal, the degradation of polysaccharide, phenol, protein and nitrocellulose occurred; meanwhile, the MnO2 totally dissolved owing to reductive extraction of Mn. CONCLUSIONA highly significant correlation occurred between TOC removal and Mn2+ release, suggesting a reciprocal causation. The present process was competent to simultaneously realize oxidation degradation of NAW and reductive dissolution of Mn2+ for EMM production, displaying a promising application prospect. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry