IWRA Proceedings

OVERVIEW ON EMERGING POLLUTANTS

The US EPA (United States - Environmental Protection Agency) defines emerging pollutants as new chemicals without regulatory status and which impact on environment and human health are poorly understood. Emerging pollutants are chemical substances that have recently been identified as potentially harmful to human health and the environment. These pollutants may be found in a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural runoff, waste products, and consumer products. They are not strictly regulated but have the potential to cause harmful effects to human health or the environment. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely used all over the world with enormous diversity.

More than 3000 pharmaceutical products are used in medicines such as anesthetics, antibiotics, contraceptives, lipid regulators, calmatives, and impotence drugs

• Some PPCPs are endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs)
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Vetinary pharmaceuticals
• Micro-nanoplastic
• Pesticides and herbicides

CASE STUDY: IBUPROFEN AND GEMFIBROZIL REMOVAL FROM TSE

• Ibuprofen and gemfibrozil are persistent to the conventional wastewater treatment processes
• May enter the soil through irrigation with treated sewage effluent (TSE)
• Phytotoxic to plants such as carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce
• Cause feminization when exposed to male fish and reduction of egg fertilization, thus the fish population is reduced
• Affect human health through food chain

In this study, the removal efficiencies of ibuprofen and gemfibrozil were evaluated using several treatment technologies.
Today’s presentation will be focusing on:-

• Adsorption (date pits derived AC)
• Ozone
• Catalytic ozonation

CONCLUSIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD

High quality TSE is produced, suitable for agriculture reuse with low contaminants and high nutrients. The nutrients phosphate and nitrate concentrations were not affected.

Although the cost of these tertiary treatment technologies are higher compared to the conventional treatment processes, however, these processes can significantly achieve higher removal efficiencies for different types of contaminants.

Future work will include:-

• Assessment of oxidation by-products
• Assessment of bromate formation.
• Pilot scale trial at local sewage treatment plant.

19 January, 9:05 CET