Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water by Free and Imobilised Microalgae

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are released into the environment by domestic, hospital, and pharmaceutical industry wastewaters. Conventional wastewater treatment technology does not guarantee effluents of high quality, and apparently clean water may be loaded with pollutants. In this study, we assess the performance and efficiency of free and immobilised cells of microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. in removing four pharmaceuticals, chosen for their occurrence or persistence in the environment. These are paracetamol, ibuprofen, olanzapine and simvastatin. The results showed that free microalgae cells remain alive for a longer time than the immobilised ones, suggesting the inhibition of cell proliferation by the polymeric matrix polyvinyl alcohol. Both cells, free and immobilised, respond differently to each pharmaceutical. The removal of paracetamol and ibuprofen by Nannochloropsis sp., after 24 h of culture, was significantly higher in immobilised cells. Free cells removed a significantly higher concentration of olanzapine than immobilised ones, suggesting a higher affinity to this molecule than to paracetamol and ibuprofen. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Nannochloropsis sp. free cells for removing olanzapine and Nannochloropsis sp. immobilised cells for removing paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Application of Green Nanoemulsion for Elimination of Rifampicin from a Bulk Aqueous Solution

“…This approach can be used as a preliminary step before being subjected to advanced reported techniques to improve removal efficiency. Several authors reported on a new methodology to remove pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater, such as (a) triboelectric generator, (b) microalgae, (c) nanofiltration membrane bioreactor, (d) polymeric coating, and (e) piezoelectric electrospun nanofiber membrane [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Khushwaha et al developed a triboelectric generator as an efficient and green approach (80% degradation efficiency achieved using the triboelectric effect) to treat wastewater [ 19 ].…”

“…Several GNEs (water in oil) were prepared using water, DMSOT (DMSO containing constant amount of transcutol, 10% v / v ), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and CMC8, as per the reported method [ 20 , 35 ]. Several batches of green nanoemulsions were prepared using the oil phase titration method [ 35 ].…”

“…The working principle of these methods are based on the generation of free radicals (hydroxyl group) using a powerful oxidizing agent [18]. Several new approaches have been reported to remove pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater, such as a triboelectric generator, microalgae, nanofiltration, membrane bioreactor, polymeric coating, and piezoelectric electrospun nanofiber membrane [19][20][21][22][23].…”

The Potential of Chaetoceros muelleri in Bioremediation of Antibiotics: Performance and Optimization

“…etc., as described by [28]. Afterward, a certain amount (20 × 10 6 cell mL −1 ) of marine diatom [29] was transferred to a 6 L (a lab-scale) bubble column photobioreactor at room temperature under white fluorescent light illumination (66 µmol photonsm −2 s −1 ) (González-González et al [30]). The photobioreactor was a tank (width (7 cm), length (20 cm), and height (44 cm)) that had a working value of 6 L. The aeration was done from the bottom.…”

Poly(β-cyclodextrin)-Activated Carbon Gel Composites for Removal of Pesticides from Water

“…Due to the agrochemicals’ highly negative impacts, its removal from soil and water is a major challenge [ 10 , 11 ]. Hence, the improvement of environmental remediation techniques [ 12 ], e.g., biological treatment [ 13 ] and advanced oxidation processes [ 14 ], is pivotal. Sorption processes and materials have wakened great attention being straightforward in application and often reusable, showing good efficiency and advantageous cost effectiveness.…”