The role of sorption processes in the removal of pharmaceuticals by fungal treatment of wastewater

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 610-611; pp. 1147 - 1153
• Main Authors: Lucas, D., Castellet-Rovira, F., Villagrasa, M., Badia-Fabregat, M., Barceló, D., Vicent, T., Caminal, G., Sarrà, M., Rodríguez-Mozaz, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioreactors - microbiology; Chromatography; Emerging contaminants; Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis; Pharmaceutical Preparations - metabolism; Sludge; Trametes versicolor; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste Water - chemistry; Waste Water - microbiology; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water quality; Sludge; Wastewater treatment; Trametes versicolor; Emerging contaminants; Chromatography; Water quality
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.118

The contribution of the sorption processes in the elimination of pharmaceuticals (PhACs) during the fungal treatment of wastewater has been evaluated in this work. The sorption of four PhACs (carbamazepine, diclofenac, iopromide and venlafaxine) by 6 different fungi was first evaluated in batch experiments. Concentrations of PhACs in both liquid and solid (biomass) matrices from the fungal treatment were measured. Contribution of the sorption to the total removal of pollutants ranged between 3% and 13% in relation to the initial amount. The sorption of 47 PhACs in fungi was also evaluated in a fungal treatment performed in 26days in a continuous bioreactor treating wastewater from a veterinary hospital. PhACs levels measured in the fungal biomass were similar to those detected in conventional wastewater treatment (WWTP) sludge. This may suggest the necessity of manage fungal biomass as waste in the same manner that the WWTP sludge is managed.
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•Analytical methodology for PhACS in fungal biomass was developed.•Pharmaceuticals sorbed in the biomass in degradation experiments was measured.•Between 3 and 13% of PhACs elimination can be attributed to sorption processes.•Accumulation of PhACs in fungi is similar to that in sludge of conventional treatments.