Removal of pharmaceuticals in secondary wastewater treatment processes in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Journal Volume
167
Journal Issue
1-3
Pages
1163-1169
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
Water samples from four Taiwanese wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) employing secondary treatment processes were evaluated for a sweep of pharmaceuticals, and analysis of the mass loads and removal efficiencies of the compounds identified were conducted. Fifty-seven compounds were detected, including significant amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), psychostimulants (caffeine), antibiotics, and β-blockers, as well as trace levels of estrogens, vasodilators, psychiatric drugs, and lipid-regulators. Total loads ranged from 10 to 13 and 1.2 to 3.3 g/(d 1000) inhabitants for influents and effluents, respectively. NSAIDs were the main constituent (61-69%) in the water entering three WWTPs. Removal efficiencies varied among WWTPs; high removal rates (72-100%) were generally achieved for NSAIDs, estrogens, and caffeine, but some antibiotics groups (macrolides, penicillin, and imidazole) were not removed at all in many cases. This study also identified 17 mostly detected and persistent pharmaceuticals, of which caffeine, cephalexin, atenolol, and ibuprofen had the highest influent concentrations (up to 17,500, 4367, 2883, and 17,933 ng/L). These medications are used worldwide in significant amounts, and as shown here, the residuals which escape WWTP processing emerge as the primary pollutants for downstream receiving water bodies. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Antibiotics; Estrogens; Pharmaceuticals; Secondary treatment; WWTPs
SDGs
Other Subjects
Atenolol; Cephalexin; Estrogens; High removal rates; Macrolides; Mass load; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Pharmaceuticals; Primary pollutants; Psychostimulants; Receiving waters; Removal efficiencies; Secondary treatment; Total load; Trace level; Wastewater treatment plants; Wastewater treatment process; Water samples; WWTPs; Antibiotics; Effluents; Nitrogen compounds; Removal; Sewage treatment plants; Wastewater; Wastewater reclamation; Water analysis; Water recycling; Water treatment plants; Wastewater treatment; antibiotic agent; antilipemic agent; atenolol; beta adrenergic receptor blocking agent; caffeine; cefalexin; estrogen; ibuprofen; imidazole; macrolide; nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent; penicillin G; psychostimulant agent; psychotropic agent; vasodilator agent; antibiotics; efficiency measurement; effluent; estrogenic compound; pollutant removal; wastewater; water treatment; article; downstream processing; effluent; pollutant; Taiwan; waste component removal; waste water management; waste water treatment plant; water pollution; water sampling; Industrial Waste; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Taiwan; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification; Asia; Eurasia; Far East; Taiwan
Type
journal article