Activated sludge systems removal efficiency of veterinary pharmaceuticals from slaughterhouse wastewater

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Pedro N Carvalho (Author) Other; Antonio Pirra (Author) Other; Clara C P Basto (Author) FCUP; Marisa M R Almeida (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 20 No. 6

Pages: 8790-8800

ISSN: 0944-1344

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 25 Citations

Scopus - 39 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-JF0

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1867-7

Abstract (EN): The knowledge on the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from animal food production industry for the removal of both hormones and antibiotics of veterinary application is still very limited. These compounds have already been reported in different environmental compartments at levels that could have potential impacts on the ecosystems. This work aimed to evaluate the role of activated sludge in the removal of commonly used veterinary drugs, enrofloxacin (ENR), tetracycline (TET), and ceftiofur, from wastewater during a conventional treatment process. For that, a series of laboratory-controlled experiments using activated sludge were carried out in batch reactors. Sludge reactors with 100 mu g/L initial drug charge presented removal rates of 68 % for ENR and 77 % for TET from the aqueous phase. Results indicated that sorption to sludge and to the wastewater organic matter was responsible for a significant percentage of drugs removal. Nevertheless, these removal rates still result in considerable concentrations in the aqueous phase that will pass through the WWTP to the receiving environment. Measuring only the dissolved fraction of pharmaceuticals in the WWTP effluents may underestimate the loading and risks to the aquatic environment.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11