Photochemical fate of beta-blockers in NOM enriched waters

Occurrence, Distribution, and Trophic Transfer of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Bohai Sea

The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in environments has aroused global concerns; however, minimal information is available regarding their multimedia distribution, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer in marine environments. Herein, we analyzed 77 representative PPCPs in samples of surface and bottom seawater, surface sediments, and benthic biota from the Bohai Sea. PPCPs were pervasively detected in seawater, sediments, and benthic biota, with antioxidants being the most abundant PPCPs. PPCP concentrations positively correlated between the surface and bottom water with a decreasing trend from the coast to the central oceans. Higher PPCP concentrations in sediment were found in the Yellow River estuary, and the variations in the physicochemical properties of PPCPs and sediment produced a different distribution pattern of PPCPs in sediment from seawater. The log Dow, but not log Kow, showed a linear and positive relationship with bioaccumulation and trophic magnification factors and a parabolic relationship with biota-sediment accumulation factors. The trophodynamics of miconazole and acetophenone are reported for the first time. This study provides novel insights into the multimedia distribution and biomagnification potential of PPCPs and suggests that log Dow is a better indicator of their bioaccumulation and trophic magnification.

Profiling of the spatiotemporal distribution, risks, and prioritization of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in coastal waters of the northern Yellow Sea, China

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have aroused global concerns due to their ubiquitous occurrence and detrimental effects. The spatiotemporal distributions of 64 PPCPs and their synergetic ecological risks were comprehensively investigated in the seawater of Yantai Bay, and 1 H-benzotriazole (BT), ethenzamide, phenazone, propyphenazone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone and N, N'-diphenylurea were first determined in the seawater of China. Fifty-six PPCPs were detected and their concentrations were 27.5-182 ng/L, with BT contributing around 58.0%. Higher PPCP concentrations were observed in winter and spring, with the concentrations of antioxidants, analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs and human-used antibiotics significantly higher in winter, while those of aquaculture-used antibiotics and UV filters significantly higher in summer, which was closely related with their usage patterns. Positive correlations were observed for PPCP concentrations between surface and bottom water, except summer, during which time the weak vertical exchange and varied environmental behaviors among different PPCPs resulted in the distinct compositions and concentrations. Terrestrial inputs and mariculture resulted in higher PPCP concentrations in the area located adjacent to the coast and aquaculture bases. The PPCP mixtures posed medium to high risk to crustaceans, and bisphenol A was identified as a high-risk pollutant that needs special attention.

Clarification of the role of singlet oxygen for pollutant abatement during persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes: Co3O4@CNTs activated peroxymonosulfate as an example

Singlet oxygen (1O2) has often been identified by the popularly used quenching method as a more important reactive species (RS) than sulfate radicals (SO4•-) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for pollutant abatement during persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs), especially those activated by carbon-based catalysts. However, latest studies have demonstrated that the quenching method actually can often mislead the interpretations of the role of RS for pollutant abatement during AOPs due to various confounding effects caused by adding high-concentration quenchers in the system. To clarify the role of 1O2 in PS-AOPs, this study developed a probe compound-based experimental and kinetic model to quantify the concentrations and exposures of 1O2, SO4•-, and •OH, as well as their relative contributions to pollutant abatement during a cobalt oxide incorporated carbon nanotubes activated peroxymonosulfate (Co3O4@CNTs/PMS) process. Results show that during the Co3O4@CNTs/PMS process, the exposures and transient concentrations of 1O2 were about 19.6 and 41.3 times higher than those of SO4•- and •OH, respectively. However, the relative contribution of 1O2 to the abatement of most pollutants tested in this study (e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxyprazine, trimethoprim, and metoprolol) is generally negligible (f1O2 ≤ 8%) compared to that of SO4•- and •OH ( [Formula: see text]  = 15%-98% and f•OH = 2%-78%) because of the significantly lower reactivity of 1O2 with these compounds than that of SO4•- and •OH. Reasons for misidentifying 1O2 as the dominant RS for pollutant abatement by the quenching method were then analyzed based on reaction kinetics principles. The results of this study highlight that while 1O2 can be generated in significant amounts and be present at higher concentrations than SO4•- and •OH in PS-AOP systems, 1O2 is unlikely to be the dominant RS for the abatement of most pollutants during the PS-AOPs because of its weak and selective oxidation capacity, and caution should be taken when using the quenching method to evaluate the role of RS for pollutant abatement by the PS-AOPs.

Uptake and Enantiomeric Selectivity of β-Blockers in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) in Soil-Pot Culture

The uptake and translocation of β-blockers in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) were investigated by carrying out a 70-day soil-pot cultivation. The root uptake parameters of β-blockers in lettuce decreased in the order of atenolol (ATE) > sotalol (SOT) > propranolol (PRO) with root bioconcentration factors (BCFsroot/soil) of 0.158, 0.136, and 0.096, respectively, which were positively correlated with their water solubility. The BCFroot/soil of β-blockers in tomato was higher than those in lettuce. ATE and PRO were prone to migrate to the aerial parts of tomato with translocation factors of 3.31 and 4.11, respectively. In tomato fruits, the enantiomeric profile of PRO and ATE shifted to that dominated by the more toxic enantiomer, i.e., (S)-PRO and (R)-ATE. The enantiomeric selectivity of β-blockers in the edible parts of lettuce and tomato indicated the potential ecotoxicity of these pharmaceuticals for plants and the human exposure risk via vegetable intake.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship models for the reaction rate coefficients between dissolved organic matter and PPCPs

To predict PPCPs' photolysis rate in natural aquatic environment, it is essential to grasp the reaction rates between DOM and PPCPs, yet there are few measured data and no prediction models for this important photochemical parameter. To address this, a reaction rate coefficient (α_DOM) was defined to describe the apparent rate of DOM-involved photoreaction for PPCPs. The measured α_DOM values for 40 PPCPs in 9 DOM samples varied dramatically, ranging from (-2.1 ± 0.1)× 10¹⁰ to (2.2 ± 0.1)× 10¹¹ M^-1 s^-1. Then the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed using chemical and water quality descriptors via the random forest method. We initially separated positive and negative values by a classifier with an AUC value of 0.965, followed by the construction of regression models for positive and negative values, respectively, using a regressor. Positive models achieved satisfactory goodness-of-fit and predictive ability (R²_adj=0.92 and Q²_ext=0.86), while negative models demonstrated acceptable performance (R²_adj=0.71 and Q²_ext=0.70). Finally, a comprehensive photolysis model that incorporates the QSAR models for α_DOM was established and the significance of water quality parameters was emphasized through sensitive analysis. This model enables more elaborate predictions of PPCPs' photolysis rates in various water samples, providing valuable assistance for forecasting PPCPs' environmental fate.

Insight into the effect of natural organic matter on the photooxidation of arsenite induced by colloidal ferric hydroxides in water

Surface complexation of arsenite (As(III)) on colloidal ferric hydroxide (CFH) plays an important role not only in the adsorptive immobilization of As(III) but also in the subsequent oxidation of As(III) to arsenate (As(V)) through light-induced ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) in water at near-neutral pH. However, the effects of natural organic matter (NOM), especially humic substances (HSs) and low molecular weight carboxylic acids (CAs), on the photochemistry of the CFH-As(III) system have not been sufficiently understood. In this work, the inhibition of photooxidation of As(III) in terms of the observed apparent rate constant (k_obs) by six HSs (below 16 mg L^-1) and seven CAs (below 2.5 mM) has been observed in water containing 66 μM Fe(III) and 5 μM As(III) at pH 7 under simulated solar irradiation consisting of UVA (λ_max 365 nm) and UVB (λ_max 313 nm) lights. Total inhibition factors (T) have been determined from the combined effect of light-screening factor (S) and competitive complexation factor (C), wherein both S and C varied with NOM concentration. S was obtained by determining the absorbance of NOM, and C was obtained by fitting modified Langmuir or Freundlich models to the amount of As(III) desorbed from CFH upon the addition of NOM. Statistical analysis between the experimental T_exp and the calculated one according to T_cal = S × C showed that the Freundlich model (RMSE for HS 0.1609 and for CA 0.1771) was better than the Langmuir model and was statistically robust (Q_LOO²= 0.691 > 0.5). This work provided an estimation method for the effects of NOM on As(III) photooxidation in the presence of CFH as well as a deeper understanding of the transformation of arsenic species in sunlit water.

Appraising efficacy of existing and advanced technologies for the remediation of beta-blockers from wastewater: A review

The discharge of emerging pollutants, such as beta-blockers (BB), has been recognized as one of the major threats to the environment due to the ecotoxicity associated with these emerging pollutants. The BB are prescribed to treat high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases; however, even at lower concentration, these pollutants can pose eco-toxic impacts towards aquatic organisms. Additionally, owing to their recalcitrant nature, BB are not effectively removed through conventional technologies, such as activated sludge process, trickling filter and moving bed bioreactor; thus, it is essential to understand the degradation mechanism of BB in established as well as embryonic technologies, like adsorption, electro-oxidation, Fenton process, ultraviolet-based advance oxidation process, ozonation, membrane systems, wetlands and algal treatment. In this regard, this review articulates the recalcitrant nature of BB and their associated removal technologies. Moreover, the major advantages and limitations of these BB removal technologies along with the recent advancements with regard to the application of innovative materials and strategies have also been elucidated. Therefore, the present review intends to aid the researchers in improving the BB removal efficiency of these technologies, thus alleviating the problem of the release of BB into the environment.

Effects of dissolved organic matter characteristics on the photosensitized degradation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment wetlands

Wastewater treatment wetlands are aquatic systems where diverse dissolved organic matter (DOM) compositions physically interact. Complex photochemical behaviors ensue, leading to uncertainties in the prediction of indirect photodegradation rates for organic contaminants. Here, we evaluate the photosensitization ability of whole water DOM samples from a treatment wetland and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in North Carolina to photodegrade target pharmaceuticals. Optical characterization using ultraviolet-visible and excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy shows that wetland DOM has higher aromaticity than WWTP DOM and that WWTP secondary treatment processes increase aromaticity, overall molecular weight, and humic character of wastewater DOM. Our application of a reversed-phase HPLC method to assess DOM polarity distinctly reveals that a subset of the wetland samples possesses an abundance of hydrophobic DOM moieties. Hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) mediate the majority (>50%) of the indirect photodegradation for amoxicillin (AMX), atenolol (ATL), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), while singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is presumed to be solely responsible for the photodegradation of cimetidine (CME). Our findings suggest that hydrophobic interactions and improved accessibility to photogenerated reactive intermediates lead to significant increases in photosensitization efficiencies and overall indirect photodegradation rates of AMX, ATL, and EE2 for the hydrophobic wetland samples. In contrast, CME photosensitization yields are unaffected by polarity and trend positively with optical indicators of sunlight-induced DOM photobleaching and humification, suggesting that wetland processing favors faster ¹O₂ photogeneration. These relationships highlight the uncertainties in photosensitization yields and effects of DOM optical properties and polarity on the photochemical fate of organic contaminants.

Photodegradation of acebutolol in natural waters: Important roles of carbonate radical and hydroxyl radical

Acebutolol (ACE) has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, and its photochemical fate in natural waters is a matter of concern due to its ubiquitous occurrence and its toxicity to aquatic organisms. In this study, the photodegradation of ACE in river water and synthetic waters were investigated under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results demonstrated that ACE photodegradation rate in river water was 3.2 times higher than that in pure water. Then the influences of HCO₃^-, NO₃^- and DOM on ACE photolysis were investigated under their concentrations similar with the ones in river water. ACE photodegradation was significantly enhanced in the presence of HCO₃^- alone, and the scavenging experiments and the electron paramagnetic resonance experiments together proved that HCO₃^- could be oxidized by triplet-excited state of ACE to generate CO₃^•-, which subsequently played a key role in ACE degradation. The presence of both NO₃^- and DOM also increased the ACE photodegradation rates, and •OH and ³DOM* were found to be involved in the degradation. In addition, when DOM was added to a solution with HCO₃^-, the enhancement effect of HCO₃^- on ACE photodegradation was weakened due to the scavenging of CO₃^•- by DOM combined with the light screening effect of DOM.

Structure-Energetics-Property Relationships Support Computational Design of Photodegradable Pesticides

Development of high-performing pesticides with tunable degradation properties is vital to increasing the safety and effectiveness of tomorrow's analogs. Chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the excited triple state (³CDOM*) is known to play a key role in the removal of pesticides via indirect photodegradation. However, the potential of these transformations to guide the design of safer chemicals has not yet been fully realized. Here, we report a two-tier computational framework developed to probe and predict both kinetics and thermodynamics of ³CDOM*-pesticide interactions. In the first tier, robust in silico models were constructed by fitting free energies obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations to cell potentials and second-order rate constants for the ³CDOM*-pesticide electron transfer. In the second tier, Gibbs free energies and corresponding free energy barriers, determined in solution using the Marcus theory, were applied to develop a quick yet accurate screening approach based on the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) Theory. Being highly mechanistic and spanning ca. 1500 unique ³CDOM*-pesticide interactions, our approach is both robust and broadly applicable. To that end, the outcomes of our computational models were integrated into an easy-to-use decision framework that can guide structure-based design of less persistent pesticide analogs.

Photogeneration of Reactive Species from Biochar-Derived Dissolved Black Carbon for the Degradation of Amine and Phenolic Pollutants

Due to agricultural waste combustion and large-scale biochar application, biochar-derived dissolved black carbon (DBC) is largely released into surface waters. The photogeneration of reactive species (RS) from DBC plays an important role in organic pollutant degradation. However, the mechanistic interactions between RS and pollutants are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the formation of DBC triplet states (³DBC*), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), and hydroxyl radical (^•OH) in straw biochar-derived DBC solutions and photodegradation of typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Laser flash photolysis and electron spin resonance spectrometry showed that DBC exhibited higher RS quantum yields than some well-studied dissolved organic matter. The RS caused rapid degradation of atenolol, diphenhydramine, and propylparaben, selected as target PPCPs in this study. The ³DBC* contributed primarily to the oxidation of selected PPCPs via one-electron-transfer interaction, with average reaction rate constants of 1.15 × 10⁹, 1.41 × 10⁹, and 0.51 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1, respectively. ^•OH also participated in the degradation and accounted for approximately 2.7, 2.5, and 18.0% of the total removal of atenolol, diphenhydramine, and propylparaben, respectively. Moreover, the photodegradation products were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry, which further confirmed the electron transfer and ^•OH oxidation mechanisms. These findings suggest that DBC from the combustion process of agricultural biomass can efficiently induce the photodegradation of organic pollutants under sunlight in aquatic environments.

Exploring indirect photolysis of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate in landfill leachate under simulated sunlight: effect of humic acid and nitrate

Landfill leachate is exposed to sunlight through on- and off-site leachate treatment and disposal to surface water bodies. Very little is known about the potential phototransformation of fluorotelomer compounds in landfill leachates, which can undergo environmental oxidation and produce perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study investigated phototransformation of spiked 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) (∼ 100 μg/L) in leachate under simulated sunlight, using a metal halide lamp (wavelength, 390 to 750 nm). To understand the effects of nitrate and humic acid (HA), phosphate buffer (pH 7.1) containing nitrate and HA were spiked with 6:2 FTS and irradiated under simulated sunlight for 72 h. Following irradiation, 6:2 FTS and known transformation products (i.e., PFCAs) were quantified in the samples using LC-MS/MS. The results showed that 6:2 FTS was undergoing indirect photolysis in leachate (half-life of ∼ 15 days), suggesting that indirect photolysis of 6:2 FTS is likely a relevant transformation pathway in sunlit aquatic environments. However, the spiked 6:2 FTS did not show any observable decrease in the presence of nitrate and HA over 72 h. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) increased in irradiated leachate background samples (without 6:2 FTS spike) suggesting that phototransformation in sunlit leachate could lead to the formation of persistent PFCAs at environmental concentrations of the precursors. Future studies using probe compounds are recommended to better understand the roles of reactive species in phototransformation of 6:2 FTS.

Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton as “Green” Technology for Pharmaceutical Removal: A Review

The presence of pharmaceutical products in the water cycle may cause harmful effects such as morphological, metabolic and sex alterations in aquatic organisms and the selection/development of organisms resistant to antimicrobial agents. The compounds’ stability and persistent character hinder their elimination by conventional physico-chemical and biological treatments and thus, the development of new water purification technologies has drawn great attention from academic and industrial researchers. Recently, the electro-Fenton process has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative for the removal of these hazardous, recalcitrant compounds. This process occurs under the action of a suitable catalyst, with the majority of current scientific research focused on heterogeneous systems. A significant area of research centres working on the development of an appropriate catalyst able to overcome the operating limitations associated with the homogeneous process is concerned with the short service life and difficulty in the separation/recovery of the catalyst from polluted water. This review highlights a present trend in the use of different materials as electro-Fenton catalysts for pharmaceutical compound removal from aquatic environments. The main challenges facing these technologies revolve around the enhancement of performance, stability for long-term use, life-cycle analysis considerations and cost-effectiveness. Although treatment efficiency has improved significantly, ongoing research efforts need to deliver economic viability at a larger scale due to the high operating costs, primarily related to energy consumption.

Photodegradation of metoprolol in the presence of aquatic fulvic acids. Kinetic studies, degradation pathways and role of singlet oxygen, OH radicals and fulvic acids triplet states

Metoprolol is a pharmaceutical used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and disorders, whose frequent detection in surface waters raises concern. Indirect photodegradation is an important degradation pathway in waters and dissolved organic matter has a major role as photosensitizer. In this study, metoprolol photodegradation, in the absence and in the presence of fulvic acids extracted from the Vouga River (Portugal) (VRFA), was assessed under simulated sunlight. While metoprolol direct photodegradation was deniable, indirect photolysis occurred under the presence of VRFA. It followed a pseudo-first order kinetics and after 72 h of irradiation there was a decrease of metoprolol concentration of ∼80 %. The OH radical (OH) was verified to be the main reactive species (RS) responsible for the photosensitized degradation of metoprolol, but other RS are also involved, probably triplet excited states of FA (³FA*) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂), as demonstrated by the higher inhibition of the photodegradation in presence of sodium azide than in presence of 2-propanol. Based on a previous identification of photoproducts, tentative degradation mechanisms were here proposed. Photoproducts analysis after 24 h irradiation in the absence and presence of scavengers, shown that different RS are involved in the formation of different products/intermediates.

Oxidative treatments for atenolol removal in water: Elucidation by mass spectrometry and toxicity evaluation of degradation products

RATIONALE

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water is a worldwide concern due to potential damage to human and environmental health. For example, compounds such as the β-blocker atenolol (ATE), widely used for the treatment of cardiac disease, are detected in drinking water since conventional water treatment plants are not designed to remove them. Thus, the evaluation of ATE removal at different water oxidative treatment processes, identification of its degradation products and evaluation of their toxicity is necessary.

METHODS

Aqueous solutions of ATE (10 mg/L) were submitted to oxidative treatments of chlorination ([NaClO] = 10 mg/L), ozonation ([O₃ ] = 8 mg/L), photocatalysis ([TiO₂ ] = 120 mg/L and UV-C light) and photolysis (UV-C light). The removal of ATE and formation of degradation products (DPs) were monitored by mass spectrometry. To assess acute cytotoxicity, DPs were submitted to colorimetric MTT assay using HepG2 cells. The Ecological Structure Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) software was applied to estimate the acute and chronic toxicity of identified DPs at different trophic levels.

RESULTS

Photocatalysis was the treatment that demonstrated greater efficiency, removing 94% of the initial ATE. For the four tested treatments, 12 DPs were confirmed after 30 min. Moreover, some of the identified DPs were unpublished in the literature. Through high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), it was possible to elucidate the structure of the DPs. Solutions of DPs were not considered to be toxic to HepG2 cells. Only the DP with a molecular formula of C₁₃ H₁₉ NO₃ (m/z 238.1438) could be considered detrimental to daphnid and green algae.

CONCLUSIONS

Low rates of organic matter removal and high rates of ATE degradation were obtained in the applied treatments after 30 min. Although the treated solutions were not toxic to HepG2 cells, one of the degradation products can be considered an environmental concern since it presents chronic toxicity to daphnid and green algae.

Non-Singlet Oxygen Kinetic Solvent Isotope Effects in Aquatic Photochemistry

The kinetic solvent isotope effect (KSIE) is typically utilized in environmental photochemistry to elucidate whether a compound is susceptible to photooxidation by singlet oxygen (¹O₂), due to its known difference in lifetime in water (H₂O) versus heavy water (D₂O). Here, the overall indirect photodegradation rates of diarylamines in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were enhanced in D₂O to a greater extent than expected based on their reactivity with ¹O₂. For each diarylamine, the relative contribution of reaction with ¹O₂ to the observed KSIE was determined from high resolution data of ¹O₂ lifetimes by time-resolved infrared luminescence spectroscopy. The additional enhancement in D₂O beyond reaction with ¹O₂ contributed significantly to the observed KSIE for diarylamines (8-65%) and diclofenac (100%). The enhancement was ascribed to slower reduction of transient radical species of the diarylamines due to H/D exchange at DOM's phenolic antioxidant moieties. A slower second-order reaction rate constant with a model antioxidant was verified for mefenamic acid radicals using transient absorption spectroscopy. Changes in lifetime and reactivity with triplet sensitizers were not responsible for the additional KSIE. Other pollutants with quenchable radical intermediates may also be susceptible to such an additional KSIE, which has to be considered when using the KSIE as a diagnostic tool.

Photocatalytic degradation of 4-amino-6-chlorobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide stable hydrolysis product of hydrochlorothiazide: Detection of intermediates and their toxicity

In this work we have investigated in details the process of degradation of the 4-amino-6-chlorobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide (ABSA), stable hydrolysis product of frequently used pharmaceutical hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), as one of the most ubiquitous contaminants in the sewage water. The study encompassed investigation of degradation by hydrolysis, photolysis, and photocatalysis employing commercially available TiO₂ Degussa P25 catalyst. The process of direct photolysis and photocatalytic degradation were investigated under different type of lights. Detailed insights into the reactive properties of HCTZ and ABSA have been obtained by density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, preference of HCTZ towards hydrolysis was confirmed experimentally and explained using computational study. Results obtained in this study indicate very limited efficiency of hydrolytic and photolytic degradation in the case of ABSA, while photocatalytic degradation demonstrated great potential. Namely, after 240 min of photocatalytic degradation, 65% of ABSA was mineralizated in water/TiO₂ suspension under SSI, while the nitrogen was predominantly present as NH₄⁺. Reaction intermediates were studied and a number of them were detected using LC-ESI-MS/MS. This study also involves toxicity assessment of HCTZ, ABSA, and their mixtures formed during the degradation processes towards mammalian cell lines (rat hepatoma, H-4-II-E, human colon adenocarcinoma, HT-29, and human fetal lung, MRC-5). Toxicity assessments showed that intermediates formed during the process of photocatalysis exerted only mild cell growth effects in selected cell lines, while direct photolysis did not affect cell growth.

Elucidating the Stimulatory and Inhibitory Effects of Dissolved Organic Matter from Poultry Litter on Photodegradation of Antibiotics

This study examined the photolytic fate of the chlortetracycline (CTC), ciprofloxacin (CIP), roxarsone (ROX), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) antibiotics in agriculturally relevant matrices. The observed photodegradation kinetics for antibiotics in solutions containing dissolved organic matter (DOM) from three poultry litter extracts was modeled to identify contributions from direct and indirect photolysis. Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRN) was used as a surrogate DOM standard. Poultry litter-derived DOM generated lower concentrations of reactive species compared to SRN. Direct photolysis was the dominant transformation mechanism for CIP, whereas CTC, ROX, and SMX were sensitized by ³DOM* and ¹O₂. The impacts of agricultural DOM on photodegradation of antibiotics were identified in terms of pseudo-first-order rate constants for formation of reactive species and second-order rate constants for reaction of reactive species with DOM. Solutions containing poultry litter-derived DOM generated similar levels of ³DOM* and ¹O₂, enhancing degradation of CTC, ROX, and SMX. The reactivity of SMX was markedly different in solutions containing poultry litter DOM compared to solutions with SRN, indicating that the photolytic fate of select antibiotics varies for agricultural and surface water matrices. As the majority of antibiotics are consumed by animals, these findings provide new insight into agriculturally relevant transformation mechanisms and kinetics.

Indirect photodegradation of the lampricides TFM and niclosamide

3-Trifluromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and 2',5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide (niclosamide) are lampricides used in tributaries of the Great Lakes to kill the invasive parasitic sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Although the lampricides have been applied since the late 1950s, their photochemical behavior in natural environments is still not well understood. This study examines the indirect photodegradation of these two compounds and the resulting yields of organic and inorganic photoproducts in water samples collected from five tributaries of Lake Michigan. The tributaries were selected to span the length of Lake Michigan and its natural carbonate geologic gradient. In the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the niclosamide photodegradation rate triples, while the rate of TFM photodegradation is unchanged. Additionally, the yield of lampricide organic products is influenced by DOM because many of the organic photoproducts themselves are prone to DOM-mediated indirect photodegradation. The indirect photodegradation of niclosamide is primarily mediated by reaction with singlet oxygen, which accounts for more than 50% of the increased photodegradation rate. Additionally, hydroxyl radicals and carbonate radicals (CO₃^-˙) influence niclosamide indirect photolysis, and their contribution is dependent on the specific river water chemistry. For example, CO₃^-˙ contribution to niclosamide photodegradation, while small, is greater in southern tributaries where there is higher carbonate alkalinity.

Degradation kinetics of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in surface waters: photolysis vs biodegradation

Poor removal of many pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in sewage treatment leads to their discharge into the receiving waters, where they may cause negative effects. Their elimination from the water column depends of several processes, including photochemical and biological degradation. We have focused this research on comparing the degradation kinetics of a wide number (n=33) of frequently detected PPCPs considering different types of water, pH and solar irradiation. For those compounds that were susceptible of photodegradation, their rates (k) varied from 0.02 to 30.48h^-1 at pH7, with the lowest values for antihypertensive and psychiatric drugs (t_1/2>1000h). Modification of the pH turned into faster disappearance of most of the PPCPs (e.g., k=0.072 and 0.066h^-1 for atenolol and carbamazepine at pH4, respectively). On the other hand, biodegradation was enhanced by marine bacteria in many cases, for example for mefenamic acid, caffeine and triclosan (k=0.019, 0.01 and 0.04h^-1, respectively), and was faster for anionic surfactants. Comparing photodegradation and biodegradation processes, hydrochlorothiazide and diclofenac, both not biodegradable, were eliminated exclusively by irradiation (t_1/2=0.15-0.43h and t_1/2=0.14-0.17h, respectively). Salicylic acid and phenylbutazone were efficiently photo (t_1/2<3h) and biodegraded (t_1/2=116-158h), whereas some compounds such as ibuprofen, carbamazepine and atenolol had low degradation rates by any of the processes tested (t_1/2=23-2310h), making then susceptible to persist in the aquatic media.

Insights into the photo-induced formation of reactive intermediates from effluent organic matter: The role of chemical constituents

In the present study, the formation of triplet states of organic matters (³OM^∗) from effluent organic matter (EfOM) under simulated solar irradiation was investigated. EfOM was separated into hydrophobic (HPO), transphilic (TPI), and hydrophilic (HPI) components. The quantum yield coefficients (ƒ_TMP) of ³OM^∗ were measured for each component and compared to those of reference natural organic matter (NOM). NaBH₄ reduction was performed on the EfOM, and the effect of aromatic ketones moieties on triplet formation was also determined. Furthermore, the apparent quantum yield of ¹O₂ (Φ_1O2) and O₂^•- (Φ_O2•-) was measured. Our results suggested that the HPI fraction acted as a sink for ³OM^∗. A linear correlation was observed between ƒ_TMP and Φ_1O2 for NOM/EfOM, except for NaBH₄-reduced effluent and HPI components. Both ƒ_TMP and Φ_1O2 were positively correlated with the contribution rates of NaBH₄-reducible moieties (aromatic ketones) toward ³OM^∗. Aromatic ketones were primarily responsible for the production of ³OM^∗ from EfOM, whereas quinone moieties played a key role in the production of ³OM^∗ in NOM-enriched solutions. Understanding the role of chemical constituents on the photo activity of EfOM/NOM is essential for providing useful insights on their photochemical effects in aquatic systems.

Identification and characterization of photodegradation products of metoprolol in the presence of natural fulvic acid by HPLC-UV-MSn

Metoprolol is a β-blocker highly prescribed for the treatment of heart diseases. It is not efficiently removed in wastewater treatment plants and it has been detected not only in the treated effluents, but also in natural waters. Thus, the knowledge of its fate in the environment is an important issue, and photodegradation is an important degradation pathway. While direct photodegradation of metoprolol by solar light is not relevant, there is evidence in the literature that it suffers indirect photodegradation and a few studies have been published showing the important role of dissolved humic matter as photo-sensitizer. However, the identification of the photoproducts formed in the presence of humic matter is very poor, since only 2 photoproducts had been identified. This study investigated the degradation of metoprolol under simulated solar radiation and in the presence of fulvic acids (FA) extracted from a river. During the photodegradation experiments we observed the formation of new compounds which were separated and tentatively identified by HPLC-UV-ESI-MSⁿ. At least 16 compounds were tentatively identified, including the 2 compounds previously identified in the literature and 4 new compounds which had not been detected by other authors as degradation products of metoprolol, even when submitted to artificial degradation processes.

Influence of volumetric reduction factor during ozonation of nanofiltration concentrates for wastewater reuse

Global population growth induces increased threat on drinking water resources. One way to address this environmental issue is to reuse water from wastewater treatment plant. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms and potentially toxic organic micropollutants does not allow a direct reuse of urban effluents. Membrane processes such reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) can be considered to effectively eliminate these pollutants. The integration of membrane processes involves the production of concentrated retentates which require being disposed. To date, no treatment is set up to manage safely this pollution. This work focuses on the application of ozonation for the treatment of NF retentates in the framework of the wastewater reuse. Ozonation is a powerful oxidation process able to react and degrade a wide range of organic pollutants. Four pharmaceutical micropollutants were selected as target molecules: acetaminophen, carbamazepine, atenolol and diatrozic acid. This study highlighted that NF represents a viable alternative to the commonly used RO process ensuring high retention at much lower operating costs. Ozonation appears to be effective to degrade the most reactive pollutants toward molecular ozone but is limited for the reduction of refractory ozone pollutants due to the inhibition of the radical chain by the high content of organic matter in the retentates. The ozonation process appears to be a promising NF retentate treatment, but additional treatments after ozonation are required to lead to a zero liquid discharge treatment scheme.

Triplet state dissolved organic matter in aquatic photochemistry: reaction mechanisms, substrate scope, and photophysical properties

Excited triplet states of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (³CDOM*) play a major role among the reactive intermediates produced upon absorption of sunlight by surface waters. After more than two decades of research on the aquatic photochemistry of ³CDOM*, the need for improving the knowledge about the photophysical and photochemical properties of these elusive reactive species remains considerable. This critical review examines the efforts to date to characterize ³CDOM*. Information on ³CDOM* relies mainly on the use of probe compounds because of the difficulties associated with directly observing ³CDOM* using transient spectroscopic methods. Singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂), which is a product of the reaction between ³CDOM* and dissolved oxygen, is probably the simplest indicator that can be used to estimate steady-state concentrations of ³CDOM*. There are two major modes of reaction of ³CDOM* with substrates, namely triplet energy transfer or oxidation (via electron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer or related mechanisms). Organic molecules, including several environmental contaminants, that are susceptible to degradation by these two different reaction modes are reviewed. It is proposed that through the use of appropriate sets of probe compounds and model photosensitizers an improved estimation of the distribution of triplet energies and one-electron reduction potentials of ³CDOM* can be achieved.

A review of the photodegradability and transformation products of 13 pharmaceuticals and pesticides relevant to sewage polishing treatment

Many xenobiotics are only partially treated by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Photodegradation is one promising solution currently being investigated to improve their removal from effluents. We present an in-depth review of the photodegradation kinetic parameters of selected pesticides and pharmaceuticals and assess whether the data available in the literature are applicable to polishing treatment processes under sunlight. We made a thorough inventory of literature data describing the photodegradation of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in water, the laboratory, pilot plants, and in situ conditions. To this end, we built a database compiling results on photodegradation experiments from 70 scientific publications covering 13 xenobiotics commonly found in secondary effluents. Special care was taken to compile reliable data on photolysis kinetic parameters (half-life and kinetic rate constant) and removal efficiencies. We also include a comprehensive description of experimental operating conditions and an up-to-date inventory of known phototransformation products. As practical outputs we (i) propose a classification for the xenobiotics according to their photodegradability: fast-, medium- and slow-photodegradable, (ii) compare kinetic parameters in direct and indirect photodegradation conditions, and (iii) list 140 phototransformation products formed by direct or indirect photodegradation. We conclude by identifying gaps in the literature that need to be filled to adapt these available results to the conditions of polishing processes.

Correlating the chemical and spectroscopic characteristics of natural organic matter with the photodegradation of sulfamerazine

The role of aquatic natural organic matter (NOM) in the removal of contaminants of emerging concern has been widely studied. Sulfamerazine (SMR), a sulfonamide antibiotic detected in aquatic environments, is implicated in environmental toxicity and may contribute to the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. In aquatic systems sulfonamides may undergo direct photodegradation, and, indirect photodegradation through the generation of reactive species. Because some forms of NOM inhibit the photodegradation there is an increasing interest in correlating the spectroscopic parameters of NOM as potential indicators of its degradation in natural waters. Under the conditions used in this study, SMR hydrolysis was shown to be negligible; however, direct photolysis is a significant in most of the solutions studied. Photodegradation was investigated using standard solutions of NOM: Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM), Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA), and Aldrich humic acid (AHA). The steady-state concentrations and formation rates of the reactive species and the SMR degradation rate constants (k1) were correlated with NOM spectroscopic parameters determined using UV-vis absorption, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR). SMR degradation rate constants (k1) were correlated with steady-state concentrations of NOM triplet-excited state ([(3)NOM(∗)]ss) and the corresponding formation rates ((3)NOM*) for SRNOM, SRHA, and AHA. The efficiency of SMR degradation was highest in AHA solution and was inhibited in solutions of SRFA. The steady-state concentrations of singlet oxygen ([(1)O2]ss) and the SMR degradation rate constants with singlet oxygen (k1O2) were linearly correlated with the total fluorescence and inversely correlated with the carbohydrate/protein content ((1)H NMR) for all forms of NOM. The total fluorescence and EEMs Peak A were confirmed as indicators of (1)O2 formation. Specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254) and aromaticity showed potential correlations with the steady-state concentrations of hydroxyl radical ([HO]ss) and the corresponding formation rates (HO).

Indirect photochemical transformations of acyclovir and penciclovir in aquatic environments increase ecological risk

Acyclovir and penciclovir, 2 antiviral drugs, are increasingly detected in aquatic environments. The present study explores the natural photochemical transformation mechanisms and fate of these drugs, examining direct and indirect photochemical transformation under simulated sunlight irradiation. The 2 antiviral drugs are photostable under certain conditions but significantly degrade in the presence of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (DOM). The degradation rate associated with the drugs' indirect photochemical transformation scaled with chromophoric DOM concentration. Quenchers and sensitizers were used to identify indirect photochemical transformation mechanism. Results suggested that both pharmaceuticals could be transformed by reacting with (1)O2, (•)OH, and excited chromophoric DOM. The (1)O2 played an important role in indirect photochemical transformation. Furthermore, the reaction kinetics between their substructural molecules, guanine, isocytosine, and imidazole, with different reactive oxygen species were evaluated to determine which substrate functionalities were most susceptible to singlet oxygenation. Imidazole was identified as the reaction site for (1)O2, and preliminary (1)O2 oxidation mechanisms were further evaluated based on liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric results. Finally, aquatic ecotoxicity assessment of phototransformed solutions revealed that the degradation of acyclovir and penciclovir may not ultimately diminish environmental risk because of either formation of more toxic intermediates than parent pharmaceuticals or some synergistic effects existing between the intermediates.

Effect of colloids on the occurrence, distribution and photolysis of emerging organic contaminants in wastewaters

The effect of colloids on the occurrence, phase distribution and photolysis of twenty-seven emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) was studied in domestic and livestock wastewaters (DW and LW), respectively. Filtered water (<1 μm) was separated into permeate (<1 kDa) and retentate (1 kDa-1 μm) by cross flow ultrafiltration. Results indicated that total concentration of EOCs ranged from 1220 ng L(-1) in permeate of DW to 5065 ng L(-1) in retentate of LW. The average EOC fraction associated with colloids was 13.5% and 14.4% in DW and LW. Most of the EOCs exhibited pseudo-first-order degradation kinetics in all water samples. Control experiments using glass and quartz reactors showed that UV light was more effective on the photolysis of most EOCs. The EOCs photolysis in the three fractions of DW and LW could be accelerated or inhibited compared to ultrapure water with the enhancement factor ranging from -0.94 to 7.33. The impact of colloids on the photolysis of EOCs depended on the compound and the source of water. The photolysis of most EOCs in permeates and filtrates was generally accelerated, while inhibited in the retentates, which could be attributed to the relatively high dissolved organic carbon contents in retentates.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and β-blocker transformation products may not pose a significant risk of toxicity to aquatic organisms in wastewater effluent-dominated receiving waters

A probabilistic ecological risk assessment was conducted for the transformation products (TPs) of 3 β-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol) and 5 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline) to assess potential threats to aquatic organisms in effluent-dominated surface waters. To this end, the pharmacokinetic literature, the University of Minnesota's Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database Pathway Prediction System aerobic microbial degradation software, and photolysis literature pertaining to β-blockers and SSRIs were used to determine their most likely TPs formed via human metabolism, aerobic biodegradation, and photolysis, respectively. Monitoring data from North American and European surface waters receiving human wastewater inputs were the basis of the exposure characterizations of the parent compounds and the TPs, where available. In most cases, where monitoring data for TPs did not exist, we assumed a conservative 1:1 parent-to-TP production ratio (i.e., 100% of parent converted). The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)'s EPISuite and ECOSAR v1.11 software were used to estimate acute and chronic toxicities to aquatic organisms. Hazard quotients, which were calculated using the 95(th) percentile of the exposure distributions, ranged from 10(-11) to 10(-3) (i.e., all significantly less than 1). Based on these results, the TPs of interest would be expected to pose little to no environmental risk in surface waters receiving wastewater inputs. Overall, we recommend developing analytical methods that can isolate and quantify human metabolites and TPs at environmentally relevant concentrations to confirm these predictions. Further, we recommend identifying the major species of TPs from classes of pharmaceuticals that could elicit toxic effects via specific modes of action (e.g., norfluoxetine via the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]1A receptors) and conducting aquatic toxicity tests to confirm these findings. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative probabilistic ecotoxicological assessment of all of the predicted and probable TPs of these pharmaceuticals, and our approach provides a framework for future such studies with other compound classes as data become available.

Hydroxyl radical formation in batch and continuous flow ultrasonic systems

The creation of free radicals by ultrasonic cavitation is the main mechanism that leads to chemical degradation of target pollutants and the process is considered an alternative advanced oxidation technology. The goal of this study was to compare the effects of batch and continuous flow ultrasonic systems on the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Ultrasonic batch experiments were conducted in two reactors (small and large) using a standard 20kHz catenoidal titanium horn at varying amplitudes and sonication times. The effect of saturating gas was also investigated by introducing helium and air at 1Lmin(-1) into the larger 100mL reactor. In the continuous flow system, the experiments were conducted with a 20kHz, 3.3kW ultrasonic systems using a titanium "donut" horn at varying volumetric flow rates and amplitudes. Formation of hydroxyl radicals was determined using terephthalic acid dosimetry measurements. At the same energy densities, higher hydroxyl radical concentrations were formed in the batch system than in the continuous flow system. Sonication time appeared to be the main factor that influenced the results in batch and continuous flow systems. The two gases (helium and air) did not increase the hydroxyl radical formation at any amplitude or sonication time tested.

Photobleaching-induced changes in photosensitizing properties of dissolved organic matter

Photosensitizing properties of different dissolved organic matter (DOM) were investigated according to their performance in singlet oxygen ((1)O2), triplet state of DOM ((3)DOM*), and hydroxyl radical (·OH) productions. The photobleaching of DOM solutions after irradiation was characterized by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photosensitizing properties of pre-irradiated DOM solutions were changed in a sunlight simulator. The performance of DOMs in photosensitized degradation of several contaminants was investigated. For a 20 h exposure, the observed degradation rate constant (kobs) of some contaminants decreased as a function of exposure time, and highly depended on the properties of both DOM and contaminant. Degradation of contaminants with lower kobs was more susceptible to DOM photobleaching-induced decrease in kobs. Under the current experimental conditions, the photobleaching-induced decrease of DOM photo-reactivity in contaminant degradation was mainly attributed to indirect phototransformation of DOM caused by the interactions between photo-inductive DOM moieties and photochemically-produced reactive species. Reactive contaminants can inhibit DOM indirect photobleaching by scavenging reactive species, photosensitized degradation of these contaminants exhibited a stable kobs as a result. This is the first study to report DOM photobleaching-induced changes in the simultaneous DOM photosensitized degradation of contaminants and the inhibitory effect of reactive contaminants on DOM photobleaching.

Transformation of acesulfame in water under natural sunlight: joint effect of photolysis and biodegradation

The transformation of acesulfame in water under environmentally relevant conditions, including direct and indirect photolysis, biodegradation, and hydrolysis, was systematically evaluated. Under natural sunlight, both direct and indirect photolysis of acesulfame were negligible in sterilized systems at neutral or alkaline pH, whereas direct photolysis occurred at pH of 4 with a rate constant of 0.0355 d(-1) in deionized water. No significant reduction in acesulfame contents was found in the dark controls or in the incubation experiments, indicating acesulfame was resistant to hydrolysis and biodegradation. In unsterilized systems, photolysis was substantially enhanced, implying that there was a joint effect of photolysis and biodegradation or that the sterilization process had the secondary effect of inactivating some photosensitizers. The near-surface summer half-life of acesulfame in the water from the Haihe River was 9 d. Specific experiments revealed the involvement of (1)O2/(3)DOM* in acesulfame photolysis, whereas OH exhibited only a slight contribution in the presence of DOM or bicarbonate. As indicated by the total organic carbon data, no significant mineralization occurred in both sterilized and unsterilized systems after acesulfame was irradiated under simulated sunlight for 7 d, suggesting the generation of persistent intermediates. Finally, major degradation intermediates were analyzed, and the degradation pathways of acesulfame under environmentally relevant conditions were proposed for the first time.

Beta-blockers in the environment: part I. Mobility and hydrolysis study

Beta-blockers (BB) are one of the most widely used pharmaceuticals whose presence in different environmental compartments has already been proven in concentrations of even up to a few μg L(-1). However, our knowledge of their fate in the environment is still scarce. To obtain a better understanding on the environmental behavior of three selected BB comprehensive laboratory experiments assessing their mobility and hydrolytic stability has been conducted. Propranolol, metoprolol and nadolol--the most commonly consumed and detected in environmental samples--were selected as representatives of this group of pharmaceuticals. The objectives of our research were: (i) evaluation of the sorption potential and an explanation of the sorption mechanisms of these compounds onto soil and clay mineral (kaolinite); and (ii) investigation of the hydrolytic stability of these BB according to OECD 111. This comprehensive study supports the Environmental Risk Assessment of these pharmaceuticals.

Beta-blockers in the environment: part II. Ecotoxicity study

The increasing consumption of beta-blockers (BB) has caused their presence in the environment to become more noticeable. Even though BB are safe for human and veterinary usage, ecosystems may be exposed to these substances. In this study, three selected BB: propranolol, metoprolol and nadolol were subjected to ecotoxicity study. Ecotoxicity evaluation was based on a flexible ecotoxicological test battery including organisms, representing different trophic levels and complexity: marine bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), soil/sediment bacteria (Arthrobacter globiformis), green algae (Scenedesmus vacuolatus) and duckweed (Lemna minor). All the ecotoxicological studies were supported by instrumental analysis to measure deviation between nominal and real test concentrations. Based on toxicological data from the green algae test (S. vacuolatus) propranolol and metoprolol can be considered to be harmful to aquatic organisms. However, sorption explicitly inhibits the hazardous effects of BB, therefore the risks posed by these compounds for the environment are of minor importance.

Photo-reactivity of natural dissolved organic matter from fresh to marine waters in the Florida Everglades, USA

Natural dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the major absorber of sunlight in most natural waters and a critical component of carbon cycling in aquatic systems. The combined effect of light absorbance properties and related photo-production of reactive species are essential in determining the reactivity of DOM. Optical properties and in particular excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) have been used increasingly to track sources and fate of DOM. Here we describe studies conducted in water from two estuarine systems in the Florida Everglades, with a salinity gradient of 2 to 37 and dissolved organic carbon concentrations from 19.3 to 5.74 mg C L(-1), aimed at assessing how the quantity and quality of DOM is coupled to the formation rates and steady-state concentrations of reactive species including singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and the triplet excited state of DOM. These species were related to optical properties and PARAFAC components of the DOM. The formation rate and steady-state concentration of the carbonate radical was calculated in all samples. The data suggests that formation rates, particularly for singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, are strongly coupled to the abundance of terrestrial humic-like substances. A decrease in singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and carbonate radical formation rates and steady-state concentration along the estuarine salinity gradient was observed as the relative concentration of terrestrial humic-like DOM decreased due to mixing with microbial humic-like and protein-like DOM components, while the formation rate of triplet excited-state DOM did not change. Fluorescent DOM was also found to be more tightly coupled to reactive species generation than chromophoric DOM.

A critical assessment of the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments: defining our current understanding and identifying knowledge gaps

This work presents a critical assessment of the state and quality of knowledge around the aquatic photochemistry of human- and veterinary-use pharmaceuticals from laboratory experiments and field observations. A standardized scoring rubric was used to assess relevant studies within four categories: experimental design, laboratory-based direct and indirect photolysis, and field/solar photolysis. Specific metrics for each category are defined to evaluate various aspects of experimental design (e.g., higher scores are given for more appropriate characterization of light source wavelength distribution). This weight of evidence-style approach allowed for identification of knowledge strengths and gaps covering three areas: first, the general extent of photochemical data for specific pharmaceuticals and classes; second, the overall quality of existing data (i.e., strong versus weak); and finally, trends in the photochemistry research around these specific compounds, e.g. the observation of specific and consistent oversights in experimental design. In general, those drugs that were most studied also had relatively good quality data. The four pharmaceuticals studied experimentally at least ten times in the literature had average total scores (lab and field combined) of ≥29, considered decent quality; carbamazepine (13 studies; average score of 31), diclofenac (12 studies; average score of 31), sulfamethoxazole (11 studies; average score of 34), and propranolol (11 studies; average score of 29). Major oversights and errors in data reporting and/or experimental design included: lack of measurement and reporting of incident light source intensity, lack of appropriate controls, use of organic co-solvents in irradiation solutions, and failure to consider solution pH. Consequently, a number of these experimental parameters were likely a cause of inconsistent measurements of direct photolysis rate constants and quantum yields, two photochemical properties that were highly variable in the literature. Overall, the assessment rubric provides an objective and scientifically-defensible set of metrics for assessing the quality of a study. A major recommendation is the development of a method guideline, based on this rubric, for conducting and reporting on photochemical studies that would produce consistent and reliable data for quantitative comparison across studies. Furthermore, an emphasis should be placed on conducting more dual-fate studies involving controlled photolysis experiments in natural sunlight, and whole system fate studies in either natural or artificial systems. This would provide accurate data describing the actual contribution of photolysis to the overall fate of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Photo-transformation of pharmaceutically active compounds in the aqueous environment: a review

In the past few years, the fate and transportation of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in aqueous environments have raised significant concerns among the public, scientists and regulatory groups. Photodegradation is an important removal process in surface waters. This review summarizes the last 10 years (2003-2013) of studies on the solar or solar-simulated photodegradation of PhACs in aqueous environments. The PhACs covered include: beta-blockers, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), histamine H₂-receptor antagonists, lipid regulators, carbamazepine, steroid hormones, and X-ray contrast media compounds. Kinetic studies, degradation mechanisms and toxicity removal are the three major topics involved in this review. The quantum yield for the direct photolysis of PhACs and the bimolecular reaction rate constants of PhACs with reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the ˙OH radical and singlet oxygen, are also summarized. This information is not only important to predict the PhAC photodegradation fate, but also is very useful for advanced treatment technologies, such as ozone or advanced oxidation processes.

Evidence for dissolved organic matter as the primary source and sink of photochemically produced hydroxyl radical in arctic surface waters

Hydroxyl radical (˙OH) is an indiscriminate oxidant that reacts at near-diffusion-controlled rates with organic carbon. Thus, while ˙OH is expected to be an important oxidant of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and other recalcitrant compounds, the role of ˙OH in the oxidation of these compounds in aquatic ecosystems is not well known due to the poorly constrained sources and sinks of ˙OH, especially in pristine (unpolluted) natural waters. We measured the rates of ˙OH formation and quenching across a range of surface waters in the Arctic varying in concentrations of expected sources and sinks of ˙OH. Photochemical formation of ˙OH was observed in all waters tested, with rates of formation ranging from 2.6 ± 0.6 to 900 ± 100 × 10(-12) M s(-1). Steady-state concentrations ranged from 2 ± 1 to 290 ± 60 × 10(-17) M, and overlapped with previously reported values in surface waters. While iron-mediated photo-Fenton reactions likely contributed to the observed ˙OH production, several lines of evidence suggest that DOM was the primary source and sink of photochemically produced ˙OH in pristine arctic surface waters. DOM from first-order or headwater streams was more efficient in producing ˙OH than what has previously been reported for DOM, and ˙OH formation decreased with increasing residence time of DOM in sunlit surface waters. Despite the ubiquitous formation of ˙OH in arctic surface waters observed in this study, photochemical ˙OH formation was estimated to contribute ≤4% to the observed photo-oxidation of DOM; however, key uncertainties in this estimate must be addressed before ruling out the role of ˙OH in the oxidation of DOM in these waters.

Photochemical transformation of terbutaline (pharmaceutical) in simulated natural waters: degradation kinetics and mechanisms

In this study, varied nature organic matter isolates were employed to investigate the indirect photo transformation of terbutaline, which is a major feed additive medicine to increase the proportion of lean meat in the livestock. In the indirect photolysis of terbutaline under solar simulated irradiation, (1)O2 plays an important role among the •OH and (3)DOM*. The reaction rate constant of (1)O2 was determined as (7.1 ± 0.3) × 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.0, while the reaction rate constant of •OH was (6.87 ± 0.43) × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). The contribution of singlet oxygen to the indirect photolysis of terbutaline (19-44%) was higher than that of the hydroxyl radical (1-7%). The pseudo first order rate constants for the photodegradation of terbutaline increase with increasing pH, which indicates that pH mainly affects the reaction rate of the singlet oxygen with the phenolic part of the terbutaline. The Quinone was identified as the main photosensitized product through LC-MS/MS analysis. It is also proposed that the degradation pathway of terbutaline involves reaction between the phenolic part of terbutaline and singlet oxygen. This finding strongly suggests that singlet oxygen was important factor for the photodegradation of terbutaline in natural waters.

Toxicity assessment of metoprolol and its photodegradation mixtures obtained by using different type of TiO2 catalysts in the mammalian cell lines

Toxicity of metoprolol (MET) alone and in mixtures with its photocatalytic degradation intermediates obtained by using TiO2 Wackherr and Degussa P25 under UV irradiation in the presence of O2 was evaluated in vitro in a panel of three histologically different cell lines: rat hepatoma (H-4-II-E), human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human fetal lung (MRC-5). Both catalysts promoted a time-dependent increase in the toxicity of the photodegradation products, and those obtained using Degussa P25 photocatalyst were more toxic. The most pronounced and selective toxic action of MET and products of its photodegradation was observed in the hepatic cell line. The higher toxicity of the mixtures obtained using Degussa P25 catalyst could be explained by a different mechanism of MET degradation, i.e. by the presence or higher concentrations of some intermediates. Although the concentrations of intermediates obtained using TiO2 Wackherr catalyst were higher, they did not affect significantly the growth of the examined cell lines, indicating their lower toxicity. This suggests that a treatment aiming at complete mineralization should be performed bearing in mind that the type of catalyst, the concentration of target molecule, and the duration of the process are significant factors that determine the nature and toxicity of the resulting mixtures. Although the EC50 values of MET obtained in mammalian cell lines were higher compared to the bioassays for lower trophic levels, the time-dependent promotion of toxicity of degradation mixtures should be attributed to the higher sensitivity of mammalian cell bioassays.

Phototransformation of wastewater-derived trace organic contaminants in open-water unit process treatment wetlands

Open-water cells in unit process treatment wetlands can be used to exploit sunlight photolysis to remove trace organic contaminants from municipal wastewater effluent. To assess the performance of these novel systems, a photochemical model was calibrated using measured photolysis rates for atenolol, carbamazepine, propranolol, and sulfamethoxazole in wetland water under representative conditions. Contaminant transformation by hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) and carbonate radical ((•)CO3(-)) were predicted from steady-state radical concentrations measured at pH values between 8 and 10. Direct photolysis rates and the effects of light screening by dissolved organic matter on photolysis rates were estimated using solar irradiance data, contaminant quantum yields, and light screening factors. The model was applied to predict the land area required for 90% removal of a suite of wastewater-derived organic contaminants by sunlight-induced reactions under a variety of conditions. Results suggest that during summer, open-water cells that receive a million gallons of water per day (i.e., about 4.4 × 10(-2) m(3) s(-1)) of nitrified wastewater effluent can achieve 90% removal of most compounds in an area of about 15 ha. Transformation rates were strongly affected by pH, with some compounds exhibiting faster transformation rates under the high pH conditions associated with photosynthetic algae at the sediment-water interface and other contaminants exhibiting faster transformation rates at the circumneutral pH values characteristic of algae-free cells. Lower dissolved organic carbon concentrations typically resulted in increased transformation rates.

Photodegradation kinetics, products and mechanism of timolol under simulated sunlight

The photodegradation of β-blocker timolol in fulvic acid (FA) solution was investigated under simulated sunlight. The triplet excited state of FA ((3)FA(*)) and singlet oxygen ((1)O2) were the main reactive species responsible for the degradation of timolol in the aerated FA solutions. Both dissolved oxygen and iodide ions (I(-)) are the efficient quenchers of (3)FA(*). The photodegradation was drastically accelerated after removing the dissolved oxygen. The presence of I(-) inhibited the photosensitized degradation of timolol in the deoxygenated FA solutions, whereas the role of I(-) in the reaction was concentration-dependent in the aerated solutions. The other halide ions such as chloride (Cl(-)) and bromide (Br(-)) exhibited less effect on the photodegradation of timolol in both aerated and deoxygenated solutions. By LC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS analysis, the photoproducts of timolol in both aerated and deoxygenated FA solutions were identified. Electron transfer interaction occurred between (3)FA(*) and amine moiety of timolol, leading to the cleavage of C-O bond in the side chain and oxidation of the hexatomic ring. These findings suggest the photosensitized degradation was a significant pathway for the elimination of timolol in natural waters.