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Factors Affecting Spatial and Temporal Concentration Variability of Pharmaceuticals: Comparison between Two WWTPs

Author

Listed:
  • Cristiana Morosini

    (Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Milena Marsoni

    (Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Torretta

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Fabio Conti

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Marco Ragazzi

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Elena Cristina Rada

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Gabriela Cioca

    (Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Victoriei Bd. 10, 550024 Sibiu, România)

Abstract

The presence of emerging organic micropollutants (such as pharmaceuticals) in sewage has been, for a long time, an issue of great concern within the international scientific debate. This item represents one of the main challenges related to a sustainable development, with particular concern to the public health control. While most of the work has been concentrated on their detection and the evaluation of their average level, little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of concentrations of these compounds in the effluent and its capability to affect the concentrations in time of the receiving water body. In this study, three sampling campaigns were carried out at two different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Varese area (Northern Italy) with the aim of monitoring the occurrence of some pharmaceuticals to evaluate their removal efficiency. The detected pharmaceuticals were: Ofloxacin, Ibuprofen, Atenolol, Bezafibrate, Carbamazepine, Salbutamol, Cyclophosphamide and Hydrochlorothiazide. The results obtained, together with the analysis of the characteristics of the chemicals and of the two WWTPs, allowed evaluating the factors affecting the spatial and temporal concentration variability in effluent waters and the potential influence of this variability in driving the exposure of the aquatic ecosystems in the receiving water body.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristiana Morosini & Milena Marsoni & Vincenzo Torretta & Fabio Conti & Marco Ragazzi & Elena Cristina Rada & Gabriela Cioca, 2017. "Factors Affecting Spatial and Temporal Concentration Variability of Pharmaceuticals: Comparison between Two WWTPs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:8:p:1466-:d:108781
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massimo Raboni & Vincenzo Torretta & Giordano Urbini, 2013. "Influence of Strong Diurnal Variations in Sewage Quality on the Performance of Biological Denitrification in Small Community Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Vincenzo Torretta & Marco Ragazzi & Ettore Trulli & Giovanni De Feo & Giordano Urbini & Massimo Raboni & Elena Cristina Rada, 2014. "Assessment of Biological Kinetics in a Conventional Municipal WWTP by Means of the Oxygen Uptake Rate Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Vincenzo Torretta & Giordano Urbini & Massimo Raboni & Sabrina Copelli & Paolo Viotti & Antonella Luciano & Giuseppe Mancini, 2013. "Effect of Powdered Activated Carbon to Reduce Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors: A Sustainable Solution. Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-9, April.
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    1. Henry Rodríguez-Serin & Auria Gamez-Jara & Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega & Segundo Rojas-Flores & Magda Rodriguez-Yupanqui & Moises Gallozzo Cardenas & José Cruz-Monzon, 2022. "Literature Review: Evaluation of Drug Removal Techniques in Municipal and Hospital Wastewater," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Simona Bungau & Delia Mirela Tit & Katalin Fodor & Gabriela Cioca & Maricel Agop & Ciprian Iovan & Delia Carmen Nistor Cseppento & Adrian Bumbu & Cristiana Bustea, 2018. "Aspects Regarding the Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Jong Kwon Im & Sang Hun Kim & Young Seuk Kim & Soon Ju Yu, 2021. "Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Human and Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Tributary Surface Waters of the Han River Watershed, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.

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