1
|
Telgmann L, Horn H. The behavior of pharmaceutically active compounds and contrast agents during wastewater treatment - Combining sampling strategies and analytical techniques: A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174344. [PMID: 38964417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals and the respective consequences for the aquatic environment have been the focus of many studies over the last thirty years. Various aspects in this field were investigated, considering diverse pharmaceutical groups and employing a wide range of research methodologies. Various questions from the perspectives of different research areas were devised and answered, resulting in a large mix of individual findings and conclusions. Collectively, the results of the studies offer a comprehensive overview. The large variety of methods and strategies, however, demands close attention when comparing and combining information from heterogeneous projects. This review critically examines the application of diverse sampling techniques as well as analytical methods in investigations concerning the behavior of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and contrast agents (CAs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The combination of sampling and analysis is discussed with regard to its suitability for specific scientific problems. Different research focuses need different methods and answer different questions. An overview of studies dealing with the fate and degradation of PhACs and CAs in WWTPs is presented, discussing their strategic approaches and findings. This review includes surveys of anticancer drugs, antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, antidiabetics, beta blockers, hormonal contraceptives, lipid lowering agents, antidepressants as well as contrast agents for X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Telgmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Harald Horn
- Department Water Chemistry and Water Technology, Engler-Bunte-Institut, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bajda T, Grela A, Pamuła J, Kuc J, Klimek A, Matusik J, Franus W, Alagarsamy SKK, Danek T, Gara P. Using Zeolite Materials to Remove Pharmaceuticals from Water. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:3848. [PMID: 39124512 PMCID: PMC11313275 DOI: 10.3390/ma17153848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics and hormonal agents, pose a significant threat to environmental and public health due to their persistent presence in aquatic environments. Colistin (KOL), fluoxetine (FLUO), amoxicillin (AMO), and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EST) are pharmaceuticals (PhCs) that frequently exceed regulatory limits in water and wastewater. Current removal methods are mainly ineffective, necessitating the development of more efficient techniques. This study investigates the use of synthetic zeolite (NaP1_FA) and zeolite-carbon composites (NaP1_C), both derived from fly ash (FA), for the removal of KOL, FLUO, AMO, and EST from aquatic environments. Batch adsorption experiments assessed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and pH on the removal efficiency of the pharmaceuticals. The results demonstrated that NaP1_FA and NaP1_C exhibited high removal efficiencies for all tested pharmaceuticals, achieving over 90% removal within 2 min of contact time. The Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbary (BMG) kinetic model best described the adsorption processes. The most effective sorption was observed with a sorbent dose of 1-2 g L-1. Regarding removal efficiency, the substances ranked in this order: EST was the highest, followed by AMO, KOL, and FLUO. Sorption efficiency was influenced by the initial pH of the solutions, with optimal performance observed at pH 2-2.5 for KOL and FLUO. The zeolite-carbon composite NaP1_C, due to its hydrophobic nature, showed superior sorption efficiency for hydrophobic pharmaceuticals like FLUO and EST. The spectral analysis reveals that the primary mechanism for immobilizing the tested PhCs on zeolite sorbents is mainly due to physical sorption. This study underscores the potential of utilizing inexpensive, fly ash-derived zeolites and zeolite-carbon composites to remove pharmaceuticals from water effectively. These findings contribute to developing advanced materials for decentralized wastewater treatment systems, directly addressing pollution sources in various facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Bajda
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Agnieszka Grela
- Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Justyna Pamuła
- Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Joanna Kuc
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Klimek
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Jakub Matusik
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Wojciech Franus
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lublin University of Technology, ul. Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland;
| | | | - Tomasz Danek
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Paweł Gara
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Choi S, Lee W, Son H, Lee W, Choi Y, Yeom H, Seo C, Lee H, Lee Y, Lim SJ, Chae SH, Park HK, Hong SW, Kim YM, Lee Y. Occurrence, removal, and prioritization of organic micropollutants in four full-scale wastewater treatment plants in Korea. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142460. [PMID: 38821128 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence, removal rate, and potential risks of 43 organic micropollutants (OMPs) in four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea. Results from two-year intensive monitoring confirmed the presence of various OMPs in the influents, including pharmaceuticals such as acetaminophen (pain relief), caffeine (stimulants), cimetidine (H2-blockers), ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- NSAIDs), metformin (antidiabetics), and naproxen (NSAIDs) with median concentrations of >1 μg/L. Some pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine-anticonvulsants, diclofenac-NSAIDs, propranolol-β-blockers), corrosion inhibitors (1H-benzotriazole-BTR, 4-methyl-1H-benzotriazole-4-TTR), and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were negligibly removed during WWTP treatment. The OMP concentrations in the influents and effluents were mostly lower in August than those of other months (p-value <0.05) possibly due to wastewater dilution by high precipitation or enhanced biodegradation under high-temperature conditions. The anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process (A2O) with a membrane bioreactor exhibited higher OMP removal than other processes, such as A2O with sedimentation or the conventional activated sludge process (p-value <0.05). Pesticides (DEET and atrazine), corrosion inhibitors (4-TTR and BTR), and metformin were selected as priority OMPs in toxicity-driven prioritization, whereas PFCs were determined as priority OMPs given their persistence and bioaccumulation properties. Overall, our results contribute to an important database on the occurrence, removal, and potential risks of OMPs in Korean WWTPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangki Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea; Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Woorim Lee
- Environment and Energy Research Laboratory, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea; Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejong Son
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Woongbae Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yegyun Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoonsik Yeom
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Changdong Seo
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Lee
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Lee
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ji Lim
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Ho Chae
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Ki Park
- Busan Water Quality Institute, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Won Hong
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mo Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Carneiro RB, Gomes GM, Camargo FP, Zaiat M, Santos-Neto ÁJ. Anaerobic co-metabolic biodegradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products driven by glycerol fermentation. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:142006. [PMID: 38621493 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion in two sequential phases, acidogenesis and methanogenesis, has been shown to be beneficial for enhancing the biomethane generation from wastewater. In this work, the application of glycerol (GOH) as a fermentation co-substrate during the wastewater treatment was evaluated on the biodegradation of different pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). GOH co-digestion during acidogenesis led to a significant increase in the biodegradation of acetaminophen (from 78 to 89%), ciprofloxacin (from 25 to 46%), naproxen (from 73 to 86%), diclofenac (from 36 to 48%), ibuprofen (from 65 to 88%), metoprolol (from 45 to 59%), methylparaben (from 64 to 78%) and propylparaben (from 68 to 74%). The heterotrophic co-metabolism of PPCPs driven by glycerol was confirmed by the biodegradation kinetics, in which kbio (biodegradation kinetics constant) values increased from 0.18 to 2.11 to 0.27-3.60 L g-1-VSS d-1, for the operational phases without and with GOH, respectively. The assessment of metabolic pathways in each phase revealed that the prevalence of aromatic compounds degradation, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and benzoate degradation routes during acidogenesis are key factors for the enzymatic mechanisms linked to the PPCPs co-metabolism. The phase separation of anaerobic digestion was effective in the PPCPs biodegradation, and the co-fermentation of glycerol provided an increase in the generation potential of biomethane in the system (energetic potential of 5.0 and 6.3 kJ g-1-CODremoved, without and with GOH, respectively). This study showed evidence that glycerol co-fermentation can exert a synergistic effect on the PPCPs removal during anaerobic digestion mediated by heterotrophic co-metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo B Carneiro
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), 400, Trabalhador São-Carlense Ave., São Carlos, São Paulo, 13566-590, Brazil; Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gisele M Gomes
- São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), 1100, João Dagnone Ave., Santa Angelina, 13563-120, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Franciele P Camargo
- Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), UNESP- São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, 13500-230, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Zaiat
- São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), 1100, João Dagnone Ave., Santa Angelina, 13563-120, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Álvaro J Santos-Neto
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), 400, Trabalhador São-Carlense Ave., São Carlos, São Paulo, 13566-590, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mohd Hanafiah Z, Wan Mohtar WHM, Wan-Mohtar WAAQI, Bithi AS, Rohani R, Indarto A, Yaseen ZM, Sharil S, Binti Abdul Manan TS. Removal of pharmaceutical compounds and toxicology study in wastewater using Malaysian fungal Ganoderma lucidum. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142209. [PMID: 38697564 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Elevated usage of pharmaceutical products leads to the accumulation of emerging contaminants in sewage. In the current work, Ganoderma lucidum (GL) was used to remove pharmaceutical compounds (PCs), proposed as a tertiary method in sewage treatment plants (STPs). The PCs consisted of a group of painkillers (ketoprofen, diclofenac, and dexamethasone), psychiatrists (carbamazepine, venlafaxine, and citalopram), beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol), and anti-hypertensives (losartan and valsartan). The performance of 800 mL of synthetic water, effluent STP, and hospital wastewater (HWW) was evaluated. Parameters, including treatment time, inoculum volume, and mechanical agitation speed, have been tested. The toxicity of the GL after treatment is being studied based on exposure levels to zebrafish embryos (ZFET) and the morphology of the GL has been observed via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The findings conclude that GL can reduce PCs from <10% to >90%. Diclofenac and valsartan are the highest (>90%) in the synthetic model, while citalopram and propranolol (>80%) are in the real wastewater. GL effectively removed pollutants in 48 h, 1% of the inoculum volume, and 50 rpm. The ZFET showed GL is non-toxic (LC50 is 209.95 mg/mL). In the morphology observation, pellets GL do not show major differences after treatment, showing potential to be used for a longer treatment time and to be re-useable in the system. GL offers advantages to removing PCs in water due to their non-specific extracellular enzymes that allow for the biodegradation of PCs and indicates a good potential in real-world applications as a favourable alternative treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zarimah Mohd Hanafiah
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Functional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Hanna Melini Wan Mohtar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Environmental Management Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar
- Functional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aziza Sultana Bithi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rosiah Rohani
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Antonius Indarto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia
| | - Zaher Mundher Yaseen
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suraya Sharil
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Teh Sabariah Binti Abdul Manan
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mansouri F, Chouchene K, Wali A, Labille J, Roche N, Ksibi M. Adsorption of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs traces in water on clay minerals. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141469. [PMID: 38387661 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the adsorption of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely Paracetamol (PRC), Diclofenac (DIC), Ibuprofen (IBU), and Ketoprofen (KET), using both batch and continuous experiments with clay. Various analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM coupled to EDX, and Zeta potential, were employed to characterize both raw and calcined clay. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the kaolinite nature of the clay. SEM data revealed a lamellar structure formed in the clay after calcination at 550 °C. Adsorption tests were conducted to determine the optimal adsorption conditions. Batch kinetics of adsorption demonstrated rapid adsorption of all four NSAIDs, with the highest adsorption occurring at pH 4 (DIC, IBU, and KET) and pH 6 for PRC, using a concentration of 20 mg L-1 of calcined clay. Additionally, the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for all NSAIDs adsorption processes. Maximum adsorption capacities, as determined by the Langmuir model, were 80 mg g-1 for PRC, 238 mg -1g for DIC, 138 mg g-1 for IBU, and 245 mg g-1 for KET. In fixed bed column studies, three dynamic models (Thomas, Adams-Bohart, and Yoon-Nelson) were utilized to describe the breakthrough curves, with linear regression used to identify key characteristics for process design. The fixed bed column adsorption study revealed that DIC exhibited the highest removal efficiency at 98%, while KET, IBU, and PRC were more persistent, with removal efficiencies of 77.1%, 76.7%, and 67.1%, respectively. The Thomas model was deemed appropriate for describing the breakthrough curve. These findings offer valuable insights into the interactions between clay and pharmaceuticals with varying physicochemical properties. They also provide information on the adsorption models, saturation, and adsorption capacities of various pharmaceuticals on natural clays, which can be crucial for further research and environmental remediation efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Mansouri
- Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques, University of Gabes, Gabes, 6072, Tunisia; Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 3.5, Po. Box 1175, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Khawla Chouchene
- Laboratory of Environmental Bioprocesses, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, PO 10 Box 1177, 3018, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Wali
- Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 3.5, Po. Box 1175, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jerome Labille
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, CEDEX, 13454, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Nicolas Roche
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, CEDEX, 13454, Aix-en-Provence, France; International Water Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ksibi
- Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 3.5, Po. Box 1175, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang J, Zhang S, Tan M, Shen J, Zhao H, Wu D. Occurrence, removal, and risk assessment of emerging contaminants in aquatic products processing sewage treatment plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:117772-117784. [PMID: 37874520 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) in aquatic environments have attracted attention due to their wide distribution and potential ecotoxicities. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are proven to be the major source of ECs in the aquatic environment, while there remains insufficient understanding of the removal and risk assessment of ECs in STPs. Here, we clarified the degradation and risk impact of 13 ECs in two aquatic product processing sewage treatment plants (APPSTPs) along the southeast coast of China. The concentrations of ECs followed the order: endocrine-disrupting chemicals (1877.85-15,398.02 ng/L in influent, 3.37-44.47 ng/L in effluent) > > sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs, 75.14-906.19 ng/L in influent, 1.14-15.33 ng/L in effluent) > pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs, 44.47-589.93 ng/L in influent, 2.54-34.16 ng/L in effluent) ≈ fluoroquinolone antibiotic (54.76-434.83 ng/L in influent, 10.75-32.82 ng/L in effluent) > other antibiotics (16.21-51.96 ng/L in influent, 0.68-6.17 ng/L in effluent). Moreover, the concentrations of PPCPs (decreased by 55.33-87.65% in peak fishing season) and antibiotics (increased by 44.99% in peak fishing season) were affected by fishing activities. In particular, the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process had a better removal effect than the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2/O) process on the treatment of some contaminants (e.g., norfloxacin and nonylphenol). Risk evaluations of ECs demonstrated that nonylphenol and SAs were at high- and low-risk states, respectively. Overall, our results provide important information for the degradation treatment of ECs, which is essential for pollutant management policy formulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Huang
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shuchi Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mengyu Tan
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Huzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, Zhejiang Province, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Haiyan Zhao
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Donglei Wu
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Huidobro-López B, Martínez-Hernández V, Barbero L, Meffe R, Nozal L, de Bustamante I. Evaluation of contaminants of emerging concern attenuation through a vegetation filter managed using different operating conditions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132217. [PMID: 37544173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
In wastewater treatment using Vegetation Filters (VFs), natural processes reduce contaminants present in water although some of them can reach the environment. In this study, 39 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are evaluated in a pilot VF under different operating conditions during almost four years. The use of woodchip amendments and the change from surface irrigation through furrows to drip irrigation (and from weekly to daily water application) provide CEC concentration reductions in the water infiltrating through the vadose zone. Biodegradation is the main process taking place and has been favoured mainly by woodchip soil amendments and the increased residence. Median attenuation percentages of the CECs most frequently detected with highest concentrations in applied wastewater vary between 52% and 100% at the end of the study (at 45 cm depth). Among targeted CECs, caffeine, and its transformation product paraxanthine are the most attenuated. Flecainide and venlafaxine show a persistent behaviour. However, their leaching concentrations are very low (< 31 ng/L). Concerning the underlying aquifer, the groundwater quality in terms of CEC concentrations is conditioned by the surrounding area rather than the operation of the VF. Levels in groundwater are always below those in wastewater and infiltrating water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Huidobro-López
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avda. Punto Com 2, 28805 Madrid, Spain; Alcalá University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, E-28871 Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Lucía Barbero
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avda. Punto Com 2, 28805 Madrid, Spain; Alcalá University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, E-28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raffaella Meffe
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avda. Punto Com 2, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Leonor Nozal
- Alcalá University and General Foundation of Alcalá University, Center of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, E-28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene de Bustamante
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avda. Punto Com 2, 28805 Madrid, Spain; Alcalá University, Department of Geology, Geography and Environment, A-II km 33,0, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Anielak AM, Styszko K, Kwaśny J. The Importance of Humic Substances in Transporting "Chemicals of Emerging Concern" in Water and Sewage Environments. Molecules 2023; 28:6483. [PMID: 37764263 PMCID: PMC10535854 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined the sorption of selected "chemicals of emerging concern" (CEC) on humic substances commonly found in water and municipal wastewater. These were ibuprofen, diclofenac, caffeine, carbamazepine, estrone, triclosan, bisphenol A, and isoproturon. The humic substances (HSs) were synthetic and not contaminated by the tested organic substances. The elemental composition and content of mineral micropollutants, gravimetric curves, and the IR spectrum of HSs were determined. We determined a relationship between the process efficiency and the characteristics of a sorbent and sorbate using the properties of organic substances sorbed on HSs. This relationship was confirmed by sorption tests on the HS complex, i.e., the HS-organic micropollutant. It has been shown that the given complexes have a greater affinity for hydrophobic surfaces than hydrophilic surfaces. To confirm the nature of the sorbent surfaces, we determined their zeta potential dependence on the pH of the solution. Studies have shown that HSs are carriers of both mineral substances and CEC in water and sewage environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Anielak
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Styszko
- Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland;
| | - Justyna Kwaśny
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sapkota B, Pariatamby A. Pharmaceutical waste management system - Are the current techniques sustainable, eco-friendly and circular? A review. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 168:83-97. [PMID: 37285639 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Most households and healthcare facilities usually dispose of contaminated, unused, or expired (CUE) medicines with municipal wastes, the disposal of which usually amounts to $790/ton in the USA and £450/ton in the UK. Solid (e.g., tablets, capsules, powders) and semi-solid (e.g., ointment, creams) pharmaceuticals are managed with incineration/pyrolysis, encapsulation, and engineered landfills, whereas wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recommended for liquid pharmaceutical wastes (PWs). However, to date, the sustainability and eco-friendliness profile of these techniques are only subjectively ensured, leading to controversial viewpoints in many guidelines. Each technique has relative strengths and weaknesses, and their comparative weighting to maximize these profiles is sought after. The present comprehensive review aims to fulfil knowledge gaps in this regard. Four electronic databases (e.g., PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were searched for PW management (PWM)-related qualitative and quantitative articles published till December 31, 2022. Articles without details of waste disposal techniques and their health and environmental impacts were excluded. Based on the literature review, we determine that incineration can be considered a sustainable option for solid and semi-solid PWs, and WWTPs can be eco-friendly for liquid PWs, whereas encapsulation and landfilling are less sustainable. It is high time that objectively proven sustainable and eco-friendly techniques be implemented for PWM based on their dosage forms or nature of hazards. Medicine take-back, eco-pharmacovigilance, extended producer responsibility, co-payment, and life cycle analysis of pharmaceuticals focusing on reduction, reuse/re-dispensing can be integrated to make existing models sustainable, circular, and eco-friendly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binaya Sapkota
- Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, 5 Jalan University, 47500 Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Agamuthu Pariatamby
- Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, 5 Jalan University, 47500 Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Iqbal A, Ložek F, Soto I, Kaur D, Grabicová K, Kuklina I, Randák T, Malinovska V, Buřič M, Kozák P. Effect of psychoactive substances on cardiac and locomotory activity of juvenile marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 260:115084. [PMID: 37267780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceutically active compounds are common and increasing in the aquatic environment. Evidence suggests they have adverse effects on non-target organisms, and they are classified as emerging pollutants for a variety of aquatic organisms. To determine the effects of environmentally relevant levels of psychoactive compounds on non-target organisms, we analyzed cardiac and locomotory activity in early developmental stages of marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis. Responses to sertraline, methamphetamine, and a mixture of citalopram, oxazepam, sertraline, tramadol, venlafaxine, and methamphetamine at a concentration of 1 µg L-1 of each compound were assessed. On day four of exposure, cardiac activity was recorded for 5 min, and on day eight, locomotory activity was recorded for 15 min. There was a significant increase (p < 0.01) in heart rate in methamphetamine-exposed and Mix-exposed juveniles compared to the unexposed control and there was significant difference (p < 0.01) in proportion of time (activity %) was observed with sertraline-exposed, whereas velocity, and distance moved did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) in exposed and control animals. These findings revealed that low concentrations of chemicals and their mixtures can modify the physiological state of aquatic animals without outward manifestations (activity, distance moved, and velocity). Aquatic animals can be impacted earlier than is visible, but effects can potentially lead to substantial changes in populations and in ecosystem processes. Additional research to investigate chemical combinations, exposure systems, and organism physiological and molecular responses may provide evidence of broad impact of environmental pharmaceuticals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azeem Iqbal
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Filip Ložek
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Ismael Soto
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Davinder Kaur
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Iryna Kuklina
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Randák
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Viktoriia Malinovska
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Buřič
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kozák
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang X, Huang N, Wang J, Lu C, Li G, Li F, Hu Z, Bi X, Wu L, Tian Y. Occurrence and removal of 25 antibiotics during sewage treatment processes and potential risk analysis. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 85:1800-1812. [PMID: 35358072 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and removal of 25 antibiotics, including ten quinolones (QNs), four macrolides (MLs), four tetracyclines (TCs) and seven sulfonamides (SNs), were analysed at two sewage treatment plants (STPs) with different treatment units in Guangxi Province, China. The results showed that 14 and 16 antibiotics were detected in the influent of the two STPs, with concentrations ranging from 13.7-4265.2 ng/L and 14.5-10761.7 ng/L, respectively. Among the antibiotics, TCs were the main type in the study area, accounting for more than 79% of the total concentration of all antibiotics. The antibiotic removal efficiencies of the different process units ranged from -56.73% to 100.0%. It was found that the SN removal efficiency of the multistage composite mobile bed membrane bioreactor (MBBR) process was better than that of the continuous-flow Intermission biological reactor (IBR) process, while the IBR process was better than the MBBR process in terms of removing TCs and MLs; however, there was no obvious difference in the QN removal efficiencies of these two processes. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed a strong correlation between antibiotic concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Risk assessments indicated that algae, followed by invertebrates and fish, were the most sensitive aquatic organisms to the detected antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinting Wang
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China E-mail:
| | - Ning Huang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| | - Jin Wang
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| | - Chunliu Lu
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China E-mail:
| | - Guangying Li
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China E-mail:
| | - Fang Li
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| | - Zaoshi Hu
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Bi
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| | - Lieshan Wu
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China E-mail:
| | - Yan Tian
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Nanning 530028, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Díaz-Cubilla M, Letón P, Luna-Vázquez C, Marrón-Romera M, Boltes K. Effect of Carbamazepine, Ibuprofen, Triclosan and Sulfamethoxazole on Anaerobic Bioreactor Performance: Combining Cell Damage, Ecotoxicity and Chemical Information. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10010042. [PMID: 35051084 PMCID: PMC8779021 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are partially degraded in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), thereby leading to the formation of more toxic metabolites. Bacterial populations in bioreactors operated in WWTPs are sensitive to different toxics such as heavy metals and aromatic compounds, but there is still little information on the effect that pharmaceuticals exert on their metabolism, especially under anaerobic conditions. This work evaluated the effect of selected pharmaceuticals that remain in solution and attached to biosolids on the metabolism of anaerobic biomass. Batch reactors operated in parallel under the pressure of four individual and mixed PPCPs (carbamazepine, ibuprofen, triclosan and sulfametoxazole) allowed us to obtain relevant information on anaerobic digestion performance, toxicological effects and alterations to key enzymes involved in the biodegradation process. Cell viability was quantitatively evaluated using an automatic analysis of confocal microscopy images, and showed that triclosan and mixed pollutants caused higher toxicity and cell death than the other individual compounds. Both individual pollutants and their mixture had a considerable impact on the anaerobic digestion process, favoring carbon dioxide production, lowering organic matter removal and methane production, which also produced microbial stress and irreversible cell damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Díaz-Cubilla
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.D.-C.); (P.L.)
| | - Pedro Letón
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.D.-C.); (P.L.)
- IMDEA Water Institute, Parque Científico Tecnológico, 28805 Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Carlos Luna-Vázquez
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (C.L.-V.); (M.M.-R.)
| | - Marta Marrón-Romera
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (C.L.-V.); (M.M.-R.)
| | - Karina Boltes
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.D.-C.); (P.L.)
- IMDEA Water Institute, Parque Científico Tecnológico, 28805 Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Correspondence: Karina Boltes
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Silori R, Tauseef SM. A Review of the Occurrence of Pharmaceutical Compounds as Emerging Contaminants in Treated Wastewater and Aquatic Environments. CURR PHARM ANAL 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573412918666211119142030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
In recent years, pharmaceutical compounds have emerged as potential contaminants in
the aquatic matrices of the environment. High production, consumption, and limited removal
through conventional treatment processes/wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the major
causes for the occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater and aquatic environments
worldwide. A number of studies report adverse health effects and risks to aquatic life and the ecosystem because of the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in the aquatic environment. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of the occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in treated
wastewater from various WWTPs, surface water and groundwater bodies. Additionally, this review
provides comprehensive information and pointers for research in wastewater treatment and waterbodies management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Silori
- HSE and Civil Engineering Department, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sella CF, Carneiro RB, Sabatini CA, Sakamoto IK, Zaiat M. Can different inoculum sources influence the biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole antibiotic during anaerobic digestion? BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s43153-021-00178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
16
|
Im JK, Kim SH, Kim YS, Yu SJ. Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Human and Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Tributary Surface Waters of the Han River Watershed, South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157969. [PMID: 34360259 PMCID: PMC8345536 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human and veterinary pharmaceuticals are being increasingly used for disease treatment; hence, their distribution and factors influencing them in the aquatic environment need to be investigated. This study observed the effect of human and animal populations, usage, purchasing criteria (prescription vs. non-prescription), and land use to identify the spatio-temporal distribution of eight pharmaceuticals at twenty-four sites of the tributaries of the Han River watershed. In rural areas, the mean concentration (detection frequency) of non-prescription pharmaceuticals (NPPs) was higher (lower) compared to that of prescription pharmaceuticals (PPs); in urban areas, a reverse trend was observed. Pharmaceutical concentrations in urban and rural areas were mainly affected by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and non-point sources, respectively; concentrations were higher downstream (4.9 times) than upstream of the WWTPs. The concentration distribution (according to the target) was as follows: human–veterinary > human > veterinary. Correlation between total concentration and total usage of the pharmaceuticals was high, except for NPPs. Most livestock and land use (except cropland) were significantly positively correlated with pharmaceutical concentrations. Concentrations were mainly higher (1.5 times) during cold seasons than during warm seasons. The results of this study can assist policymakers in managing pharmaceutical pollutants while prioritizing emerging pollutants.
Collapse
|
17
|
Hubeny J, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E, Buta M, Zieliński W, Rolbiecki D, Giebułtowicz J, Nałęcz-Jawecki G, Płaza G. Industrialization as a source of heavy metals and antibiotics which can enhance the antibiotic resistance in wastewater, sewage sludge and river water. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252691. [PMID: 34086804 PMCID: PMC8177550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance is closely related with selective pressure in the environment. Wastewater from industrialized regions is characterized by higher concentrations of these pollutants than sewage from less industrialized areas. The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of contaminants such as antibiotics and heavy metals (HMs), and to evaluate their impact on the spread of genes encoding resistance to antimicrobial drugs in samples of wastewater, sewage sludge and river water in two regions with different levels of industrialization. The factors exerting selective pressure, which significantly contributed to the occurrence of the examined antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), were identified. The concentrations of selected gene copy numbers conferring resistance to four groups of antibiotics as well as class 1 and 2 integron-integrase genes were determined in the analyzed samples. The concentrations of six HMs and antibiotics corresponding to genes mediated resistance from 3 classes were determined. Based on network analysis, only some of the analyzed antibiotics correlated with ARGs, while HM levels were correlated with ARG concentrations, which can confirm the important role of HMs in promoting drug resistance. The samples from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located an industrialized region were characterized by higher HM contamination and a higher number of significant correlations between the analyzed variables than the samples collected from a WWTP located in a less industrialized region. These results indicated that treated wastewater released into the natural environment can pose a continuous threat to human health by transferring ARGs, antibiotics and HMs to the environment. These findings shed light on the impact of industrialization on antibiotic resistance dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Hubeny
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Martyna Buta
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wiktor Zieliński
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Damian Rolbiecki
- Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Joanna Giebułtowicz
- Department of Bioanalysis and Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Nałęcz-Jawecki
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Grażyna Płaza
- Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, Zabrze, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Contribution of sewage to occurrence of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in natural water. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9470. [PMID: 33947926 PMCID: PMC8096833 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89028-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i, such as Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil, mainly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction) and their generic drug equivalents have been widely marketed and consumed in Korea. From the concentrations detected in wastewater, we could deduce that relatively large amounts of PDE-5i were consumed without a legal prescription. Thus, PDE-5i’s presence in the environment via sewage is unavoidable, and their environmental fate within a sewage treatment plant (STP) should be evaluated. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of three PDE-5i analogs in the influent and effluent of two STPs and the receiving water bodies. The PDE-5i concentration in total reached 62 ± 12 (STP#1) and 88 ± 37 ng L−1 (STP#2) in the sewage influent; about 70% of it was Sildenafil in both STPs. However, they were hardly removed by the STPs as the removal efficiency of the STPs was less than 10% ± 5%. Therefore, the pharmaceuticals were detected in the receiving water (lower than 7 ng L−1as a total amount) and the concentration slightly increased downstream of the STPs. A simple mass balance model applied for the compounds in the STP effluent and receiving water bodies also confirmed that the discharged PDE-5i were quite persistent. Lastly, we identified temporal and regional patterns in the consumption of the drugs from daily variations of PDE-5i in the influent to these two STPs. For instance, the levels of PDE-5i in the sewage significantly increased on weekends (from Friday to Saturday), and especially in the area where adult-entertainment businesses are common. We estimated that the amount of PDE-5i consumption in this area was 31% higher than that in the area with fewer nightlife spots. Considering that they are pharmaceutically active and resistant to treatment processes within an STP, it is advised that a regular monitoring and management program for PDE-5i should be developed to prevent the discharge of the pharmaceuticals into the water environment.
Collapse
|
19
|
Park J, Kim C, Hong Y, Lee W, Lee S, Chung H, Kim H, Jeong DH. Determination of pharmaceuticals in solid samples in municipal wastewater treatment plants by online SPE LC-MS/MS using QuEChERS extraction. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:279. [PMID: 33864156 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09069-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a pretreatment method based on the QuEChERS method has been applied for simultaneously extracting 27 residual pharmaceuticals from wastewater solids. The extracted compounds have been analyzed using online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A recovery test was conducted according to the absorbent type, and buffers were added in the sample extraction step. The highest recovery efficiency could be observed when Na2SO4 was used as an absorbent and Na2EDTA was injected during the extraction process; the recovery efficiencies of the proposed method for the target compounds ranged from 61.3 to 137.2%, and the repeatability was 6.8%. These recovery and repeatability data showed that the proposed method could reliably analyze the 27 target residual pharmaceuticals. The concentrations of the target compounds were all below the limits of quantification: 830 ng g-1 for the target compounds in suspended solids, 2353 ng g-1 in activated sludge, and 1929 ng g-1 in waste sludge. The analytical method established in this study can be applied to quantify residual pharmaceuticals in solid samples and to investigate their behaviors in a municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junwon Park
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
- Division of Monitoring and Analysis, Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office, 31Seo-gu, Gyesuro, Gwangju, 61945, South Korea
| | - Changsoo Kim
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
| | - Youngmin Hong
- Technical Research Center, Shimadzu Scientific Korea, 145 Gasan digital 1-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, 08056, South Korea
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
| | - Soohyung Lee
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
| | - Hyenmi Chung
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
| | - Hyunook Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02054, South Korea
| | - Dong-Hwan Jeong
- Department of Environmental Infrastructure Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Occurrence and Removal of Veterinary Antibiotics in Livestock Wastewater Treatment Plants, South Korea. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8060720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, livestock wastewater treatment plants in South Korea were monitored to determine the characteristics of influent and effluent wastewater, containing four types of veterinary antibiotics (sulfamethazine, sulfathiazole, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline), and the removal efficiencies of different treatment processes. Chlortetracycline had the highest average influent concentration (483.7 μg/L), followed by sulfamethazine (251.2 μg/L), sulfathiazole (230.8 μg/L) and oxytetracycline (25.7 μg/L), at five livestock wastewater treatment plants. Sulfathiazole had the highest average effluent concentration (28.2 μg/L), followed by sulfamethazine (20.8 μg/L) and chlortetracycline (11.5 μg/L), while no oxytetracycline was detected. For veterinary antibiotics in the wastewater, a removal efficiency of at least 90% was observed with five types of treatment processes, including a bio-ceramic sequencing batch reactor, liquid-phase flotation, membrane bioreactor, bioreactor plus ultrafiltration (BIOSUF) and bio best bacillus systems. Moreover, this study evaluated the removal efficiency via laboratory-scale experiments on the conventional contaminants, such as organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and veterinary antibiotics. This was done using the hydraulic retention time (HRT), under three temporal conditions (14 h, 18 h, 27 h), using the anaerobic–anoxic–oxic (A2O) process, in an attempt to assess the combined livestock wastewater treatment process where the livestock wastewater is treated until certain levels of water quality are achieved, and then the effluent is discharged to nearby sewage treatment plants for further treatment. The removal efficiencies of veterinary antibiotics, especially oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline, were 86.5–88.8% and 87.9–90.8%, respectively, exhibiting no significant differences under various HRT conditions. The removal efficiency of sulfamethazine was at least 20% higher at HRT = 27 h than at HRT = 14 h, indicating that sulfamethazine was efficiently removed in the A2O process with increased HRT. This study is expected to promote a comprehensive understanding of the behavior and removal of veterinary antibiotics in the livestock wastewater treatment plants of South Korea.
Collapse
|