SORPTION AND BIODEGRADATION OF SELECTED PHARMACEUTICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN BATCH REACTORS SEEDED WITH ACTIVATED SLUDGE

摘要

Many pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are not fully metabolized prior to household discharge resulting in the common occurrence of PhACs and their corresponding metabolites in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The prevalence of pharmaceutical residuals and antibacterial chemicals in municipal wastewaters and other aquatic environments is of growing concern because of their endocrine disruption potential to humans and wildlife as well as their role in antibiotic resistance development. Pharmaceutical and drug metabolites have been detected in aquatic environments in the United States and even in drinking water samples. The extent and magnitude of the risks posed by PhACs are not yet known due to a lack of research data. However, there are many concerns that PhACs may threaten the physiological and reproductive processes of micro and macro aquatic organisms.