A Review of the Occurrence of Pharmaceutical Compounds as Emerging Contaminants in Treated Wastewater and Aquatic Environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Silori ◽  
Syed Mohammad Tauseef
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Pharmaceutical Compounds ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Comprehensive Information

: 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.

scholarly journals Gadolinium as an Emerging Microcontaminant in Water Resources: Threats and Opportunities

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooria Ebrahimi ◽  
Maurizio Barbieri
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

As a result of high doses of paramagnetic gadolinium (Gd) chelates administered in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams, their unmetabolized excretion, and insufficient removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), large amounts of anthropogenic Gd (Gdanth) are released into surface water. The upward trend of gadolinium-based contrast agent (Gd-CA) administrations is expected to continue growing and consequently higher and higher anthropogenic Gd concentrations are annually recorded in water resources, which can pose a great threat to aquatic organisms and human beings. In addition, the feasibility of Gd retention in patients administered with Gd-CAs repeatedly, and even potentially fatal diseases, including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), due to trace amounts of Gd have recently arisen severe health concerns. Thus, there is a need to investigate probable adverse health effects of currently marketed Gd-CAs meticulously and to modify the actual approach in using Gd contrast media in daily practice in order to minimize unknown possible health risks. Furthermore, the employment of enhanced wastewater treatment processes that are capable of removing the stable contrast agents, and the evaluation of the ecotoxicity of Gd chelates and human exposure to these emerging contaminants through dermal and ingestion pathways deserve more attention. On the other hand, point source releases of anthropogenic Gd into the aquatic environment presents the opportunity to assess surface water—groundwater interactions and trace the fate of wastewater plume as a proxy for the potential presence of other microcontaminants associated with treated wastewater in freshwater and marine systems.

Occurrence and fate of relevant substances in wastewater treatment plants regarding Water Framework Directive and future legislations

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1179-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Martin Ruel ◽  
J.-M. Choubert ◽  
H. Budzinski ◽  
C. Miège ◽  
M. Esperanza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Treatment Processes

The next challenge of wastewater treatment is to reliably remove micropollutants at the microgram per litre range. During the present work more than 100 substances were analysed through on-site mass balances over 19 municipal wastewater treatment lines. The most relevant substances according to their occurrence in raw wastewater, in treated wastewater and in sludge were identified, and their fate in wastewater treatment processes was assessed. About half of priority substances of WFD were found at concentrations higher than 0.1 μg/L in wastewater. For 26 substances, potential non-compliance with Environmental Quality Standard of Water Framework Directive has been identified in treated wastewater, depending on river flow. Main concerns are for Cd, DEHP, diuron, alkylphenols, and chloroform. Emerging substances of particular concern are by-products, organic chemicals (e.g. triclosan, benzothiazole) and pharmaceuticals (e.g. ketoprofen, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine). About 80% of the load of micropollutants was removed by conventional activated sludge plants, but about two-thirds of removed substances were mainly transferred to sludge.

Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disruptors in Wastewater Treatment Effluents and in the Water Supply System of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Chen ◽  
Klas Ohman ◽  
Chris Metcalfe ◽  
Michael G. Ikonomou ◽  
Prasanna L. Amatya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Water Supply System ◽  
Aquatic Life

Abstract Due to a growing interest in the occurrence of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the aquatic environment and their potential impacts on humans and the environment, a collaborative study was conducted on these emerging contaminants in the effluents from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and in the drinking water supply system of Calgary, Alberta. A number of PhACs and EDCs were detected in the WWTP effluents, at concentrations ranging from ng/L to low µ-g/L. Although these compounds were generally removed from WWTP effluents during wastewater treatment, some compounds, such as carbamazepine were more persistent. Some target PhACs and EDCs were detected at low ng/L levels in the surface and potable water in this study. Currently, there is no evidence that trace amounts of PhACs and EDCs in Calgary's waterways can have a health impact on humans, but they may pose adverse chronic effects on aquatic life.

scholarly journals Environmental Impact of the Presence, Distribution, and Use of Artificial Sweeteners as Emerging Sources of Pollution

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ab Qayoom Naik ◽  
Tabassum Zafar ◽  
Vinoy Kumar Shrivastava
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Food Additive ◽  
Artificial Sweeteners ◽  
Sources Of Pollution ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Water Ecosystem

Artificial sweeteners are posing a new threat to the environment. The water ecosystem is the primary recipient of these emerging contaminants. Once ingested, sufficient amount of these artificial sweeteners escape unchanged from the human body and are added to the environment. However, some are added in the form of their breakdown products through excretion. Artificial sweeteners are resistant to wastewater treatment processes and are therefore continuously introduced into the water environments. However, the environmental behavior, fate, and long-term ecotoxicological contributions of artificial sweeteners in our water resources still remain largely unknown. Some artificial sweeteners like saccharin are used as a food additive in animal feeds. It also forms the degradation product of the sulfonylurea herbicides. All artificial sweeteners enter into the wastewater treatment plants from the industries and households. From the effluents, they finally reside into the receiving environmental bodies including wastewaters, groundwaters, and surface waters. The global production of these sweeteners is several hundred tons annually and is continuously being added into the environment.

scholarly journals Occurrence and removal of poly/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibel Barisci ◽  
Rominder Suri
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
Perfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Carbon Adsorption ◽  
Real World Applications ◽  
Treatment Technologies

Abstract The presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has caused serious problems for drinking water supplies especially at intake locations close to PFAS manufacturing facilities, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and sites where PFAS containing firefighting foam was regularly used. Although monitoring is increasing, knowledge on PFAS occurrences particularly in municipal and industrial effluents is still relatively low. Even though the production of C8-based PFAS has been phased out, they are still being detected at many WWTPs. Emerging PFAS such as GenX and F-53B are also beginning to be reported in aquatic environments. This paper presents a broad review and discussion on the occurrence of PFAS in municipal and industrial wastewater which appear to be their main sources. Carbon adsorption and ion exchange are currently used treatment technologies for PFAS removal. However, these methods have been reported to be ineffective for the removal of short-chain PFAS. Several pioneering treatment technologies, such as electrooxidation, ultrasound, and plasma have been reported for PFAS degradation. Nevertheless, in-depth research should be performed for the applicability of emerging technologies for real-world applications. This paper examines different technologies and helps to understand the research needs to improve the development of treatment processes for PFAS in wastewater streams.

scholarly journals Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water and wastewater: a review of treatment processes and use of photocatalyst immobilized on functionalized carbon in AOP degradation

BMC Chemistry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adewumi Olufemi Oluwole ◽  
Elizabeth Oyinkansola Omotola ◽  
Olatunde Stephen Olatunji
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Personal Care Products ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Heterogeneous Photocatalysis ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Long Time

Abstract The presence of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceutical and personal care products in many aqueous matrices have been reported. One of such matrix is streams of wastewater, including wastewater treatment plants inflows and outflows and wastewater flow by-passing wastewater treatment plants. Their persistence arises from their resistant to breakdown, hence they may remain in the environment over long time, with a potential to cause adverse effects including endocrine disruption, gene toxicity, the imposition of sex organs, antibiotic resistance and many others in some aquatic organisms exposed to arrays of residues of pharmaceutical and personal care products. Among the treatment techniques, advanced oxidation processes have been reported to be a better technique through which these PPCPs can be degraded in the WWTPs. Heterogeneous photocatalysis using various photocatalyst immobilized on solid support such as activated carbon, graphene and carbon nanotubes in AOPs have been shown to be a viable and efficient method of PPCPs degradation. This is because, the performance of most WWTPs is limited since they were not designed to degrade toxic and recalcitrant PPCPs. This review highlight the occurrence, concentration of PPCPs in wastewater and the removal efficiency of heterogeneous photocatalysis of TiO2 immobilized on solid supports.

scholarly journals Prevalence of common enteric viruses in municipal wastewater treatment plants and their health risks arising from wastewater reuse

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Liu ◽  
Zihan Li ◽  
Zifan Che ◽  
Hu Xinran ◽  
Ming Ying ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Enteric Viruses ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Tertiary Treatment ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Raw Wastewater

Abstract Enteric viruses are known to be prevalent in municipal wastewater, but information on the health risks arising from wastewater reuse is limited. This study quantified six common enteric viruses in raw wastewater and determined the effectiveness of different secondary and tertiary treatment processes at reducing their abundances in three full-scale wastewater treatment plants in China. In the raw wastewater, polyomavirus BK and norovirus GII (Nov GII) exhibited the highest abundance among the detected DNA and RNA viruses, respectively, with concentrations >5 log10 copies/L. Viruses in the raw wastewater were mainly removed by the secondary treatment processes, with log reduction values ranging from 1 to 2. The tertiary treatment processes of both chlorination and ultraviolet irradiation facilitated the additional reduction of viruses. The quantitative microbial risk assessment was applied to estimate the health risks of adenovirus (Adv) and Nov GII when reusing the treated wastewater for irrigation of public green spaces and crops. Estimated disabled-adjusted life-years of Adv and Nov GII for both reuses were higher than the risk threshold (10−6) required by the WHO in the actual scenarios. More effective treatment technologies should be implemented to remove viruses for safe reuse of the treated wastewater.

Semi-quantitative analysis of a specific database on priority and emerging substances in wastewater and sludge

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 1935-1944 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Martin Ruel ◽  
J. M. Choubert ◽  
P. Ginestet ◽  
M. Coquery
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Emerging Substances

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has drawn attention to a series of metals and organic compounds because of their demonstrated or potential harmfulness for aquatic environments. The aim of our work was to build and to process a “practical” database focused on the role of wastewater treatment plants for the removal of the 37 priority compounds that have to be reduced or stopped by 2015, and of 34 additional relevant contaminants. About 11,000 concentration values in raw and treated wastewater and sludge, from more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and six French national screening programs, were integrated. A systematic approach showed the global low quality of data for most of the compounds, with missing information about the treatment process, sampling and analysis, leading to 10% of the data available for removal efficiency calculations. A semi-quantitative analysis allowed the identification of 20 priority and 10 additional relevant substances more frequently quantified at significant concentrations in raw wastewater and treated wastewater. Conventional activated sludge was able to remove more than 70% of half of the studied compounds, leaving only 10% of them with less than 50% removal. Physical–chemical treatments appeared to be about 30% less efficient than biological treatments. In addition, very few data are available concerning some compounds and some processes, especially sludge treatment and tertiary wastewater treatment processes. Therefore, complementary on-site measurements and modeling are required to propose adapted solutions for the treatment of priority and emerging substances in wastewater treatment plants.

scholarly journals Occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Six Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants at the Early Stage of COVID-19 Pandemic in The United States

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 798
Author(s):  
Samendra P. Sherchan ◽  
Shalina Shahin ◽  
Jeenal Patel ◽  
Lauren M. Ward ◽  
Sarmila Tandukar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
The United States ◽  
Secondary Effluent ◽  
Untreated Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Wastewater Samples

In this study, we investigated the occurrence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in primary influent (n = 42), secondary effluent (n = 24) and tertiary treated effluent (n = 34) collected from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs A–F) in Virginia (WWTP A), Florida (WWTPs B, C, and D), and Georgia (WWTPs E and F) in the United States during April–July 2020. Of the 100 wastewater samples analyzed, eight (19%) untreated wastewater samples collected from the primary influents contained SARS-CoV-2 RNA as measured by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays. SARS-CoV-2 RNA were detected in influent wastewater samples collected from WWTP A (Virginia), WWTPs E and F (Georgia) and WWTP D (Florida). Secondary and tertiary effluent samples were not positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA indicating the treatment processes in these WWTPs potentially removed SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the secondary and tertiary treatment processes. However, further studies are needed to understand the log removal values (LRVs) and transmission risks of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through analyzing wastewater samples from a wider range of WWTPs.

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