Variations in Illicit Compound Discharged from Treated Wastewater

Abstract

The detection and monitoring of illicit drug concentrations in environmental waters is of increasing interest. This study aimed to determine if illicit and regulated compounds, their potential pre-cursors, and metabolites varied in amount discharged into the environment from treated wastewater at different facilities. Water samples were taken from discharge points of four different tertiary wastewater treatment plants discharging directly into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River (Australia) on two different occasions and analysed to determine the concentrations of compounds including: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine. Here, we show that detectable levels of illicit drug and metabolites are being emitted on a consistent basis after having persisted through the wastewater treatment process. The concentrations of methamphetamine are in excess of previously reported surface water concentrations. The estimated total load of compounds being discharged on a daily basis is greater than similar sized catchment areas. The results presented here are of concern from both an ecological and human health perspective.

Effect of diatomite addition on crystalline phase formation of TiO2 and photocatalytic degradation of MDMA

“…Thus, most of the analysis wastewater showed that removal efficiency of MDMA was about 32-50 % [4] due to its stability in wastewater [5][6][7][8]. This confirms what has already been pointed out that illicit drugs and in particular MDMA are able to get in the groundwater and surface water and can pose a risk to the animal and human health, environmental quality and ecosystems [9][10][11]. Until now, very few studies have investigated the removal and degradation of illicit drugs [12].…”

Illicit Drugs in Surface Waters: How to Get Fish off the Addictive Hook

“…Figure 1 A illustrates the widespread presence of COC, METH, and AMP in surface and tap water across continents. COC concentrations are variable, from European tap water samples (e.g., 18.6 ng/L in France to 166.7 ng/L in Portugal) to discharge points of wastewater treatment plants in Australia (e.g., 2990 ng/L at Redbank Creek) [ 65 , 66 ]. High MET concentrations are observed globally, with notable levels in the rivers of Taiwan and the USA (up to 25,250 ng/L in Hawkesbury-Nepean River) [ 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

“…COC concentrations are variable, from European tap water samples (e.g., 18.6 ng/L in France to 166.7 ng/L in Portugal) to discharge points of wastewater treatment plants in Australia (e.g., 2990 ng/L at Redbank Creek) [ 65 , 66 ]. High MET concentrations are observed globally, with notable levels in the rivers of Taiwan and the USA (up to 25,250 ng/L in Hawkesbury-Nepean River) [ 66 , 67 , 68 ]. AMP is less frequently detected but still present, with traces found in European tap water and surface water in China and Taiwan [ 65 , 67 , 69 ].…”

“…Figure 1A illustrates the widespread presence of COC, METH, and AMP in surface and tap water across continents. COC concentrations are variable, from European tap water samples (e.g., 18.6 ng/L in France to 166.7 ng/L in Portugal) to discharge points of wastewater treatment plants in Australia (e.g., 2990 ng/L at Redbank Creek) [65,66]. High Occurrence and concentration of cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamine (A) as well as medicine-prescribed drugs (B) in rivers and surface water.…”

Methamphetamine Shows Different Joint Toxicity for Different Types of Microplastics on Zebrafish Larvae by Mediating Oxidative Stress

“…In addition, METH is also widely detected worldwide. In the Nepean River of New South Wales in Australia, the detected concentration is up to 25.25 μg L −1 [ 36 ], and in the Llobregat basin in Spain, the detected concentration is 50 ng L −1 [ 37 ]. Previous studies found that exposure to METH at low environmental levels could induce obvious malformation of zebrafish larvae [ 12 , 38 ].…”