Sustainable removal of iodinated X-ray contrast media (XRC) by ozonation in a complex wastewater matrix – urine as example

Abstract

Pharmaceutical and diagnostic substances like antibiotics, cytostatics and iodised X-ray contrast media (XRC) are well-known for not being metabolised and are excreted soon after application. As a result, these preparations are difficult to biodegrade and their adsorption behaviour is rather poor. Finally, the refractory properties of these substances are leading to an accumulation in the natural waterbody depending on the hydrological situation. The elimination of contrast media from urine and diluted urine solutions by ozonation was investigated using a bubble column reactor to remove and recover the formed elemental iodine from the solution by gas stripping and down stream absorption. The experiments showed that the destruction of XRCs from concentrated solutions like urine is feasible and a recycling of elemental iodine from the exhaust gas is technically and economically possible.

State of the art of urine treatment technologies: A critical review.

“…The process functions for urine too, but with a much higher energy demand than for wastewater treatment and a high production of toxic by-products ( Dodd et al. 2008 , Fitzke and Geißen 2007 , Gajurel et al. 2007 , Gulyas et al.…”

Micropollutant removal and nutrient recovery for sustainable management of urban wastewater

“…Ozonation and hydrogen radical attack. Ozonation presents another attractive method for removing a broad spectrum of micropollutants (Broseus et al, 2009;Fitzke and Geissen, 2007). There are two common reaction routes to eliminate the organic contaminants by ozone treatment: direct reaction with molecular ozone and indirect reaction with free radicals, mainly hydroxyl radicals, generated by the decomposition of ozone.…”