Fenton-like reaction: A possible way to efficiently remove illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals from wastewater

摘要

We analyzed 13 psychoactive Pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and their metabolites in waste-water treatment plant influent and effluent and the possibility of their degradation by biological and chemical processes. Tramadol (413-853 ng/L) and methamphetamine (460-682 ng/L) were the most concentrated compounds in the wastewater in winter and summer, respectively. A significant decrease in the concentration of tramadol in wastewater was measured during the summer. The lowest efficiency was observed for tramadol, venlafaxine, citalopram and oxazepam (～10%) and the highest efficiency was observed for amphetamine and THC-COOH (～80%). The efficiency of compound degradation via the Fen-ton reaction, a modified Fenton reaction and different degradation (by algae, wood-rotting fungi and enzymes at influent versus effluent) was determined. The Fenton reaction and its modification were efficient at eliminating these substances in comparison with the tested biological processes.