Removal of naproxen and bezafibrate by activated sludge under aerobic conditions: kinetics and effect of substrates

Zirconium(IV) Metal Organic Frameworks with Highly Selective Sorption for Diclofenac under Batch and Continuous Flow Conditions

Diclofenac (DCF) is among the most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and at the same time one of the most consumed drugs worldwide. Since the ever-increasing use of diclofenac poses serious threats to ecosystems, its substantial removal is crucial. To address this issue, a variety of sorbents have been employed. Herein we present the diclofenac removal properties of two metal organic frameworks, namely [Zr6O4(OH)4(NH2BDC)6]·xH2O (MOR-1) and H16[Zr6O16(H2PATP)4]·xH2O (MOR-2). Batch studies revealed fast sorption kinetics for removal of DCF− from water as well as particularly high selectivity for the drug vs. common competitive species. Moreover, the composite MOR-1-alginic acid material was utilized in a sorption column, displaying remarkable removal efficiency towards DCF− anions. Significantly, this is the first time that column sorption data for removal of NSAIDs using MOF-based materials is reported.

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Different Matrices: Occurrence, Pathways, and Treatment Processes

The procedures for analyzing pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are typically tedious and expensive and thus, it is necessary to synthesize all available information from previously conducted research. An extensive collection of PPCP data from the published literature was compiled to determine the occurrence, pathways, and the effectiveness of current treatment technologies for the removal of PPCPs in water and wastewater. Approximately 90% of the compiled published papers originated from Asia, Europe, and the North American regions. The incomplete removal of PPCPs in different water and wastewater treatment processes was widely reported, thus resulting in the occurrence of PPCP compounds in various environmental compartments. Caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, triclosan, and triclocarban were among the most commonly reported compounds detected in water and solid matrices. Trace concentrations of PPCPs were also detected on plants and animal tissues, indicating the bioaccumulative properties of some PPCP compounds. A significant lack of studies regarding the presence of PPCPs in animal and plant samples was identified in the review. Furthermore, there were still knowledge gaps on the ecotoxicity, sub-lethal effects, and effective treatment processes for PPCPs. The knowledge gaps identified in this study can be used to devise a more effective research paradigm and guidelines for PPCP management.