Upgrading of Wastewater Treatment Plants Through the Use of Unconventional Treatment Technologies: Removal of Lidocaine, Tramadol, Venlafaxine and Their Metabolites

Abstract

Abstract:The occurrence and removal efficiencies of the pharmaceuticals lidocaine (LDC), tramadol (TRA) and venlafaxine (VEN), and their major active metabolites monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), O-desmethyltramadol (ODT) and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) were studied at four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) equipped with activated sludge treatment technologies. In parallel to activated sludge treatment, the removal efficiency of the compounds in pilot-and full-scale projects installed at the WWTPs was investigated. Within these projects two different treatment methods were tested: adsorption onto powdered/granulated activated carbon (PAC/GAC) and ozonation. The metabolite MEGX was not detected in any sample. The concentrations of the target analytes in wastewater effluents resulting from activated sludge treatment ranged from 55 to 183 (LDC), 88 to 416 (TRA), 50 to 245 (ODT), 22 to 176 (VEN) and 77 to 520 ng L −1 (ODV). In the pilot project with subsequent treatment with PAC/GAC, the mean concentrations of the analytes were between <LOQs and 30 (LDC), 111 (TRA), 140 (ODT), 45 (VEN) and 270 ng L −1 (ODV). In the pilot project with subsequent ozonation of the effluent from the conventional treatment the mean concentrations were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) for all of the investigated compounds. The results showed limitations of activated sludge treatment technologies in removing the target compounds but highlighted both OPEN ACCESSWater 2012, 4 651 PAC/GAC adsorption and ozonation technologies as effective post-treatment processes for the elimination of the target compounds from wastewater in WWTPs. Possible oxidation by-products formed during ozonation were not analyzed.

Competitive adsorption of ibuprofen and amoxicillin mixtures from aqueous solution on activated carbons

“…The studies also highlighted the effectiveness of adsorption technology based on activated carbons as post-treatment process to face water pollution due to organic micropollutants [8,14]. On the other hand, most studies on the removal of pharmaceuticals on activated carbons report adsorption capacities from single component solutions [16][17][18], while studies on the removal of mixtures are scarce [19][20][21][22].…”

The presence of the top prescribed pharmaceuticals in treated sewage effluents and receiving waters in Southwest Nova Scotia, Canada

“…Its effluent showed moderate levels of pharmaceuticals but had the highest concentration of venlafaxine (2.65 μg/L) in the study. A comparison of conventional activated sludge and MBR STPs serving similar sized populations with similar average flow rates showed little difference in the overall removal rates of venlafaxine (Rúa-Gómez et al 2012). Venlafaxine has an octanol-water partition coefficient (LogK ow , Table 1) of 3.20.…”

Engaging nanoporous carbons in “beyond adsorption” applications: Characterization, challenges and performance

“…For instance, solutions based on carbons added to the secondary active sludge reactor generating mixed liquid-suspended solids were found effective for the removal of emerging pollutants [152,153]. MBR systems seem especially appropriate to be coupled to porous carbons, since they produce suspended solids-free effluents, thus reducing the competitive adsorption of organic matter on the carbon adsorbent [154][155][156]. However, there are many technological and engineering issues to be solved, related to the decantability and disposal of the carbon-biomass slurry (where pollutants and/or metabolites of uncertain toxicity might be adsorbed), and the recuperation and reusability of the carbon.…”

“…Schematic diagrams of full scale WWTPs with conventional activated sludge coupled with various advanced technologies for the removal of emerging pollutants: (A) post-treatment adsorption of granular porous carbon and coupling powdered carbon with membrane filtration; (B) carbon added to flocculation system; (C) carbon added to a membrane biological reactor; (D) carbon added to the biological reactor. (A-C are adapted from[154]). …”