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Study of Degradation of Pharmaceutical Wastes in Water and Its Impact on Ecosystems
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Chemistry
Abstract
Pharmaceutical active ingredients (PhACs) are increasingly detected in surface water, groundwater, and wastewater systems worldwide due to continuous consumption, incomplete metabolism, and inadequate removal during wastewater treatment. This manuscript evaluates the occurrence, degradation pathways, and ecological impacts of pharmaceutical wastes in aquatic environments using published global monitoring data. Statistical evaluation of reported concentrations, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) removal efficiencies, and ecological risk indicators is presented. Results indicate that several commonly used pharmaceuticals persist at ng/L??g/L levels, with approximately one-quarter of monitored sites globally exceeding predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs). Conventional WWTPs show variable removal efficiencies (10?80%), while advanced treatment technologies can achieve removals exceeding 90%. Ecological evaluation highlights chronic sub-lethal effects on aquatic organisms and increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression modelling, and ecological risk assessment using risk quotients (RQ), were employed to evaluate spatial, seasonal, and anthropogenic influences. Results demonstrate significant seasonal variability (p < 0.05), strong correlation between population density and pharmaceutical concentrations (R? ? 0.7), and moderate to high ecological risk for antibiotics and antiepileptics. The findings highlight the limitations of conventional treatment systems and emphasize the need for advanced treatment technologies and regulatory interventions to mitigate ecological risks. The study emphasizes the need for standardized monitoring, mixture toxicity assessment, and integration of advanced treatment technologies to mitigate pharmaceutical pollution.
Keywords
Pharmaceutical pollution, wastewater treatment, degradation, aquatic ecosystems, ecological risk, statistical evaluation
References
[1] J. L. Wilkinson et al., "Pharmaceutical pollution of the world’s rivers," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., vol. 119, no. 8, 2022.
[2] Supporting online material and summary: show that ~25.7% of sites exceeded protective concentrations. ResearchGate
[3] Reviews on AOPs and photocatalytic removal of pharmaceuticals — recent overviews. SpringerLink+1
[4] Reviews on removal of pharmaceuticals in WWTPs and technologies (including ozonation, RO, activated sludge comparisons). MDPI+1
[5] Case studies and ecotoxicology (e.g., long-term effects of fluoxetine on fish). News summary and research reporting. The Guardian
[6] OECD report summarizing occurrence and policy recommendations on pharmaceutical residues in freshwater. OECD
[7] Global antibiotic river load modelling and resistance risk. OUP Academic
[8] Hejna M., Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: A Review on Occurrence and Toxicity, 2022. PMC
[9] Bavumiragira J.P., Fate and transport of pharmaceuticals in water systems, 2022. ScienceDirect
[10] Wang H., Ecotoxicological effects, environmental fate and risks of PPCPs, 2021. ScienceDirect
[11] Adeoye J.B., Advanced oxidation and biological integrated processes for pharmaceuticals removal, 2024. ScienceDirect
[12] Navidpour A.H., Photocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceutical Residues, 2024.
[13] M. aus der Beek et al., "Pharmaceuticals in the environment—Global occurrences and perspectives," Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 2016.
[14] K. Kümmerer, "The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment," Chemosphere, 2009.
[15] OECD, Pharmaceutical Residues in Freshwater, OECD Publishing, 2019.
How to cite this paper
@article{1713078,
author = {Dr. Nirupa Gadapa},
title = {Study of Degradation of Pharmaceutical Wastes in Water and Its Impact on Ecosystems},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {1609-1616},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1713078.pdf},
abstract = {Pharmaceutical active ingredients (PhACs) are increasingly detected in surface water, groundwater, and wastewater systems worldwide due to continuous consumption, incomplete metabolism, and inadequate removal during wastewater treatment. This manuscript evaluates the occurrence, degradation pathways, and ecological impacts of pharmaceutical wastes in aquatic environments using published global monitoring data. Statistical evaluation of reported concentrations, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) removal efficiencies, and ecological risk indicators is presented. Results indicate that several commonly used pharmaceuticals persist at ng/L??g/L levels, with approximately one-quarter of monitored sites globally exceeding predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs). Conventional WWTPs show variable removal efficiencies (10?80%), while advanced treatment technologies can achieve removals exceeding 90%. Ecological evaluation highlights chronic sub-lethal effects on aquatic organisms and increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression modelling, and ecological risk assessment using risk quotients (RQ), were employed to evaluate spatial, seasonal, and anthropogenic influences. Results demonstrate significant seasonal variability (p < 0.05), strong correlation between population density and pharmaceutical concentrations (R? ? 0.7), and moderate to high ecological risk for antibiotics and antiepileptics. The findings highlight the limitations of conventional treatment systems and emphasize the need for advanced treatment technologies and regulatory interventions to mitigate ecological risks. The study emphasizes the need for standardized monitoring, mixture toxicity assessment, and integration of advanced treatment technologies to mitigate pharmaceutical pollution.},
keywords = {Pharmaceutical pollution, wastewater treatment, degradation, aquatic ecosystems, ecological risk, statistical evaluation},
month = {December},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1713078}
}