Pharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river system

Occurrence and removal of 81 representative Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) were assessed in a municipal WWTP located in a highly industrialized area, with partial water reuse after UV tertiary treatment and discharge to a Mediterranean river. Water monitoring was performed in an integrated...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Collado Alsina, Neus, Rodríguez Mozaz, Sara, Gros Calvo, Meritxell, Rubirola Gamell, Adrià, Barceló i Cullerés, Damià, Comas Matas, Joaquim, Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi, Buttiglieri, Gianluigi
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2014
Country:España
Institution:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repository:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10256/10325
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10256/10325
Access Level:Embargoed access
Keyword:Contaminants emergents en l'aigua
Emerging contaminants in water
Aigua -- Contaminació
Water -- Pollution
Aigües residuals -- Depuració
Sewage -- Purification
Description
Summary:Occurrence and removal of 81 representative Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) were assessed in a municipal WWTP located in a highly industrialized area, with partial water reuse after UV tertiary treatment and discharge to a Mediterranean river. Water monitoring was performed in an integrated way at different points in the WWTP and river along three seasons. Consistent differences between therapeutic classes were observed in terms of influent concentration, removal efficiencies and seasonal variation. Conventional (primary and secondary) treatment was unable to completely remove numerous compounds and UV-based tertiary treatment played a complementary role for some of them. Industrial activity influence was highlighted in terms of PhACs presence and seasonal distribution. Even if global WWTP effluent impact on the studied river appeared to be minor, PhACs resulted widespread pollutants in river waters. Contamination can be particularly critical in summer in water scarcity areas, when water flow decreases considerably