Pharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river system

N Collado; S Rodriguez-Mozaz; M Gros; A Rubirola; D Barceló; J Comas; I Rodriguez-Roda; G Buttiglieri

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.040

Pharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river system

Environ Pollut. 2014 Feb:185:202-12. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.040. Epub 2013 Nov 25.

Authors

N Collado¹, S Rodriguez-Mozaz², M Gros², A Rubirola², D Barceló³, J Comas¹, I Rodriguez-Roda⁴, G Buttiglieri⁵

Affiliations

¹ LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
² Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.
³ Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
⁴ LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Catalonia, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.
⁵ Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain. Electronic address: gianluigi.buttiglieri@gmail.com.

PMID: 24286695
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.040

Abstract

Occurrence and removal of 81 representative Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) were assessed in a municipal WWTP located in a highly industrialized area, with partial water reuse after UV tertiary treatment and discharge to a Mediterranean river. Water monitoring was performed in an integrated way at different points in the WWTP and river along three seasons. Consistent differences between therapeutic classes were observed in terms of influent concentration, removal efficiencies and seasonal variation. Conventional (primary and secondary) treatment was unable to completely remove numerous compounds and UV-based tertiary treatment played a complementary role for some of them. Industrial activity influence was highlighted in terms of PhACs presence and seasonal distribution. Even if global WWTP effluent impact on the studied river appeared to be minor, PhACs resulted widespread pollutants in river waters. Contamination can be particularly critical in summer in water scarcity areas, when water flow decreases considerably.

Keywords: Micropollutants; River waters; UV treatment; WWTP; Water scarcity area.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring*
Industry
Pharmaceutical Preparations / analysis*
Rivers / chemistry*
Waste Disposal, Fluid / statistics & numerical data*
Wastewater / chemistry
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
Water Pollution, Chemical / statistics & numerical data

Substances

Pharmaceutical Preparations
Waste Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical