Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) degradation and microbial characteristics of low-temperature operation combined with constructed wetlands

Qiushi Shi; Yonggang Yuan; Yunlong Zhou; Yue Yuan; Lin Liu; Xuejing Liu; Fuping Li; Chunpeng Leng; Hao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140039

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) degradation and microbial characteristics of low-temperature operation combined with constructed wetlands

Chemosphere. 2023 Nov:341:140039. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140039. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Authors

Qiushi Shi¹, Yonggang Yuan¹, Yunlong Zhou¹, Yue Yuan¹, Lin Liu¹, Xuejing Liu², Fuping Li², Chunpeng Leng³, Hao Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemical Water Pollution Control Technology in Tangshan City, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China; College of Civil and Architectural Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China.
² Hebei Mining Area Ecological Restoration Industry Technology Research Institute, Tangshan, 063000, PR China; College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China.
³ Hebei Mining Area Ecological Restoration Industry Technology Research Institute, Tangshan, 063000, PR China; College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China. Electronic address: 1299805345@qq.com.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemical Water Pollution Control Technology in Tangshan City, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China; College of Civil and Architectural Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China; Hebei Mining Area Ecological Restoration Industry Technology Research Institute, Tangshan, 063000, PR China; College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, PR China. Electronic address: haowang1689@126.com.

PMID: 37660803
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140039

Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs), which are present in water bodies, could cause global environmental and human health problems. These contaminants originate from various sources such as hospitals, clinics, households, and industries. Additionally, they can also indirectly enter the water supply through runoff from agriculture and leachate from landfills. ECs, specifically Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), are causing widespread concern due to their contribution to persistent water pollution. Traditional approaches often involve expensive chemicals and energy or result in the creation of by-products. This study developed a practical and environmentally-friendly method for removing PPCPs, which involved combining and integrating various techniques. To implement this method, it was necessary to establish and used a field simulator based on the real-life scenario. Based on the data analysis, the average removal rates of COD, TP, TN, and NH₄⁺-N were 57%, 59%, 63%, and 73%, respectively. the removal rate of PPCPs by CCWs was found to be 82.7% after comparing samples that were not treated by constructed wetlands and those that were treated. Combined constructed wetlands (CCWs) were found to effectively remove PPCPs from water. This is due to the combined action of plant absorption, absorption, and biodegradation by microorganisms living in the wetlands. Interestingly, the wetland plant reed had been shown to play an important role in removing these pollutants. Microbial degradation was the most important pathway for PPCPs removal in CCWs. Carbamazepine was selected as a typical PPCP for analysis. In addition, the microbial community structure of the composite filler was also investigated. High-throughput sequencing confirmed that the dominant bacteria had good adaptability to PPCPs. This technique not only reduced the potential environmental impact but also served as a foundation for further research on the use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of PPCPs contaminated water bodies and its large-scale implementation.

Keywords: Combined constructed wetlands (CCWs); Coupling system; Microbial community structure; Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs).

MeSH terms

Agriculture
Cosmetics*
Excipients
Humans
Temperature
Wetlands*

Substances

Excipients
Cosmetics