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• The occurrence of 77 PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters was reviewed. • PPCPs and EDCs pollution was primarily detected in Chinese surface waters around densely populated and highly industrialized regions. • PCPs and EDCs showed overall higher risks than pharmaceuticals in Chinese surface waters. • Five high risk and six medium risk chemicals were prioritized in Chinese surface waters. The continuous and rapid increase of chemical pollution in surface waters has become a pressing and widely recognized global concern. As emerging contaminants (ECs) in surface waters, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their wide occurrence and potential threat to human health. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence and risks of ECs in Chinese surface waters is urgently required. This study summarizes and assesses the environmental occurrence concentrations and ecological risks of 42 pharmaceuticals, 15 personal care products (PCPs), and 20 EDCs frequently detected in Chinese surface waters. The ECs were primarily detected in China's densely populated and highly industrialized regions. Most detected PPCPs and EDCs had concentrations between ng/L to µg/L, whereas norfloxacin, caffeine, and erythromycin had relatively high contamination levels, even exceeding 2000 ng/L. Risk evaluation based on the risk quotient method revealed that 34 PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters did not pose a significant risk, whereas 4-nonylphenol, 4- tert -octylphenol, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, 17β-estradiol, and triclocarban did. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the occurrence and associated hazards of typical PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters over the past decade, and will aid in the regulation and control of these ECs in Chinese surface waters. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the occurrence and the environmental risk of eight contaminants of emerging concern (CECs; acetaminophen, naproxen, diclofenac, methylparaben, 17β‐estradiol, sulfathiazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfamethazine) in three Brazilian water bodies, namely, the Monjolinho River Basin (São Paulo State), the Mogi Guaçu River (São Paulo State), and the Itapecuru River (Maranhão State) in three sampling campaigns. The CECs were only quantified in surface water samples collected at the Monjolinho River Basin. Acetaminophen, naproxen, and methylparaben were detected in the range of <200 to 575.9 ng L−1, <200 to 224.7 ng L−1, and <200 to 303.6 ng L−1, respectively. The detection frequencies of the three measured compounds were between 33% and 67%. The highest concentrations of CECs were associated with intense urbanization and untreated sewage discharge. Furthermore, CEC concentrations were significantly correlated with total organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels, suggesting that domestic pollution from urban areas is an important source in the distribution of CECs in the Monjolinho River Basin. The environmental risk assessment indicated a high risk for acetaminophen (risk quotient [RQ] values between 2.1 and 5.8), a medium risk for naproxen (RQs between 0.6 and 0.7), and a low risk for methylparaben (RQs < 0.1) to the freshwater biota of the Monjolinho River Basin. Our findings show potential threats of CECs in Brazilian water bodies, especially in vulnerable areas, and reinforce the need for improvements in environmental regulations to include monitoring and control of these compounds in aquatic systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2199–2210. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a class of chemicals used by humans for daily life. PPCPs are closely related to people’s production and life, and are even used every day worldwide. PPCP-like compounds were first detected in treated wastewater in Kansas City, USA in 1976 (concentrations of 0.8-2μg/L[6]), and subsequently detected in various countries. The mass production and use of PPCPs have led to increasing concentrations in the environment. PPCPs can induce microorganisms to produce resistance genes because of their persistence and bioaccumulation, thus changing the structure and community of microorganisms in the ecosystem. At the same time, they are accumulated at the top of the food chain or food web[17-21], destroying the balance of the ecosystem. In addition, PPCPs also have chronic toxicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity. For example, sulfonamides will damage tissues and organs and cause drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria[9]. Synthetic musk interferes with the secretion of hormones and can also lead to asthma, allergies, migraines and other diseases[20]. Long-term use will lead to liver and kidney damage and induce cancer[21], causing irreversible damage to human health.　　PPCPs are mainly accumulated in the environment through hospitals, landfills, farms, factory wastewater and domestic sewage, and enter the water environment through various pathways. After the production of PPCPs, some are used by humans, some are directly generated in the production of waste, and some are used by animals in livestock farms. The solid or liquid waste generated in the above three ways will enter the sewage treatment plant or landfill. Then through sewage, landfill leachate directly into the surface water, through further infiltration into the sediment, pore water, groundwater, ocean and other environments, in addition to the surface water through evaporation and precipitation can also return to the water environment. The above environmental behaviors will cause harm to the ecological environment, ecosystem, and humans.　　PPCPs exist in surface water, groundwater, sediment, and other environmental media, but the pollution degree varies in different countries. In recent years, a large concentration of PPCPs has been detected in various water environmental media, and sulfonamides, antibiotics, ibuprofen, carbamazepine and DEET are widely distributed in the environment, among which sulfamethoxazole has the highest detection frequency and the highest concentration can reach 1080ng/L[8]. China is the world's largest consumer of drugs, with more than 20000t PPCPs used annually, which have been widely detected in surface water, groundwater, soil and sediments, among which antibiotics transmitted through water bodies are used more[7] than others. In addition, PPCPs are also detected in water environmental media in the United States[50], Europe[57], and Africa[9], and the study found that the concentration of PPCPs is positively correlated with the degree of economic development. In China, the highest concentration of sulfamethoxazole is detected in the sediments of the Qingpu District of Shanghai, with a concentration of 688.59ng/L[44], while the highest concentration of sulfamethoxazole in other countries is detected in groundwater of the United States, with a concentration of 1110ng/L[50]. The concentration of PPCPs in pore water and seawater is relatively low, and caffeine is the most widely detected PPCP in seawater. Some compounds have been detected in rainwater because of their volatility. Atrazine has been reported in Mississippi and at the mouth of the Yangtze River[60-61]. The presence of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin has also been detected in Minnesota, USA[38]. PPCPs in groundwater are mainly produced through the infiltration of domestic sewage, hospital and aquaculture wastewater, and compounds with greater polarity are more likely to penetrate into groundwater[59]. Antibiotics such as lincomycin and erythromycin have been detected in groundwater in North America, Jianghan Plain of China[53,50] and Harbin[52]. Carbamazepine is one of the most commonly detected drugs in sediments, and it has been reported in the Haihe River and Baiyang Lake[55], with the highest concentration of 14.7ng/g, and also in the sediments of the Taihu Lake Basin[54], the concentrations of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are relatively high, 15.33ng/g and 18.27ng/g respectively. The ocean is considered by many to be an important sink of pollutants. Studies have found that more than 20 kinds of antibiotics with concentrations as high as μg/L have been detected in seawater[62]. Among them, caffeine has been widely detected in the Aegean and Baltic Sea. Besides caffeine, sulfamethoxazole and clarithromycin also have a high detection frequency[57]. PPCPs were also detected in pore water and rainwater. The pore water samples of Baiyangdian Lake[55] mainly contain erythromycin and caffeine, but their concentrations are much lower than those of surface water in the same area. In Taihu Lake[56], the concentrations of oxytetracycline and ofloxacin are found, but the concentrations of surface water are lower than those of pore water. Therefore, the different physical and chemical conditions of environmental substrates in different study areas are considered to be the cause. There are relatively few reports of PPCPs in rainwater, and the content of PPCPS is less than 10ng/L.　　PPCPs will degrade after entering water, and different degradation processes have their own degradation mechanisms. The degradation behavior of PPCPs in water mainly includes hydrolysis, photodegradation and biodegradation. Hydrolysis is an important way to eliminate or reduce the concentration of PPCPs in a water environment. Its essence is nucleophilic substitution reaction, that is, the nucleophilic group (hydroxide ion or water molecule) attacks the electrophilic group in the compound (RX), and replaces the associated strong electron-withdrawing group (X) with a negative electric tendency. For example, the hydrolysis of penicillin G and amoxicillin is the intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the side chain on the β-lactam carbonyl group, and the C-N bond is broken causing degradation. Degradation can be divided into direct photolysis and indirect photolysis processes. PPCPs with light-absorbing groups can be directly degraded by absorbing light energy. PPCPs without light-absorbing groups need to absorb photons through other substances to obtain energy, so that indirect photodegradation occurs. For example, atenolol is a degradation process that directly absorbs light energy, while acyclovir is an indirect photodegradation process by adding a catalyst. Biodegradation means that microorganisms change the chemical structure of PPCPs through a series of biochemical reactions under aerobic or anoxic conditions, and finally achieve the purpose of removal. At present, studies on the biodegradation of PPCPs mainly focus on three aspects: sewage treatment system, natural surface water and laboratory simulation system[79]. For sewage treatment plants, PPCPs are mainly removed through biodegradation of secondary treatment[80].　　The degradation of PPCPs is affected by various factors, among which pH and temperature are the main influencing factors. The study on hydrolysis of PPCPs mainly considers the influence of pH on PPCPs. Different pH and target compounds will have different reactions, which have certain effects on the hydrolysis rate and hydrolysis products. In addition, temperature will also affect hydrolysis. In general, the higher the temperature, the faster the hydrolysis of a compound[61], because the hydrolysis process of a compound is a thermal reaction, and the activation energy mainly comes from the collision between molecules. The mechanism of photodegradation of PPCPs in water mainly lies in the molecular absorption of light energy into an excited state, which triggers various reactions[71]. There are many factors affecting the photodegradation of PPCPs in a water environment, mainly including pH of water and co-existing ions. It is generally believed that the higher pH in a water environment, the faster the photodegradation rate. Because many PPCP molecules contain acid-base dissociative groups, they are easily ionized in aqueous solution to produce a variety of dissociative forms, and the reason for affecting the ionization of PPCPs is the change of solution pH[74]. The presence of co-existing ions can either promote or inhibit the photodegradation of pollutants. The pH and temperature of the environment will affect the absorption, growth and metabolism of nutrients by microorganisms, thus changing the growth and living state of microorganisms, and then affecting biodegradation[82]. In addition, different compounds have different sensitivity to pH and temperature in the process of biodegradation. Also, the types of degraded strains have a certain impact on degradation. In general, photodegradation and biodegradation are more common than hydrolysis. In surface water, many PPCPs have avoided the strict biodegradation environment of wastewater treatment, and photochemistry may have a greater effect than the biodegradation under sunlight, in which antibiotics are mainly photodegraded in the water environment; ibuprofen, iopromide and caffeine are more prone to biodegradation; esters and amides are the most common functional groups that are easily hydrolyzed in PPCPs[63], and tetracycline can undergo hydrolysis reactions due to adsorption into sediments. The factors affecting the degradation of PPCPs include pH, temperature, co-existing ions and dissolved organic matter, among which pH and temperature are the main factors affecting the degradation. Exploring the fate of PPCPs in the environment is the key to studying their distribution and environmental level, so it is necessary to analyze the degradation mode of PPCPs in a water environment to help further understand the degradation principle and behavior of PPCPs.　　Future research on PPCPs should be more in-depth and detailed. More emphasis will be placed on the water environment such as rain and sea water, which has been studied less before, to make the system more complete. The current research mainly focuses on the migration, transformation and toxic effects of PPCPs, and the toxic effects of degradation products need to be studied further. It is necessary to study the behavior, migration, transformation and toxic effects of PPCPs metabolites in the water environment, so as to provide basis for water environment pollution removal. In addition, the content of PPCPs in the water environment is very low, and the testing technology and instrument requirements are relatively strict. The existing analysis technology and instrument conditions need to be continuously improved to establish a more comprehensive and systematic testing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further clarify the groundwater pollution risk of the pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), also known as emerging organic contaminants, in land application of sludge, groundwater pollution risks of 29 PPCPs under sand and loam soil conditions are primarily evaluated using a mathematical model. The results show that ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, oxytetracycline, norfloxacin and caffeine have risk index values higher than 1 under sand soil conditions, indicating high groundwater pollution risks. Except caffeine, all the other 4 PPCPs with high groundwater pollution risks are antibiotics, which need to be further monitored and controlled in groundwater. Under loam soil conditions, all the 29 PPCPs show low groundwater pollution risks. Sorption is the main factor affecting the groundwater pollution risk of PPCPs. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the half-life of PPCPs in soil, organic carbon partition coefficient, soil density, organic carbon content and depth of the zone with organic matter are the key parameters affecting the model output. Uncertainty analyses show that changes in the organic carbon partition coefficient and half-life of PPCPs in soil have great impact on groundwater pollution risks. Test and verification show that PPCPs with higher groundwater pollution risk index values had higher detection rates in groundwater, indicating that the evaluation results are reliable. Further researches on degradation products of PPCPs, their safe levels in groundwater, interactions between coexisting PPCPs and medium heterogeneity effects should be strengthened in order to evaluate the groundwater pollution risk of PPCPs with reasonable accuracy.

Copyright of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology / Shuiwendizhi Gongchengdizhi is the property of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Seeking highly efficient adsorbents for pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) removal has been a worldwide continuing endeavor. In this study, a new 3D composite material was synthesized by covalently anchoring Poly(m-Phenylenediamine) onto 3D polyvinyl alcohol modified foam framework (PmPD-MF-PVA). PmPD-MF-PVA was characterized and evaluated for its efficacy in removing diclofenac (DCF), a commonly detected PPCPs in both wastewater and surface water. Results showed that the adsorption capacity of PmPD-MF-PVA toward DCF was 1.5 times higher than that of PmPD-MF. The addition of PVA increased deposition area of PmPD, and promoted PmPD loading on the foam surface. Batch adsorption experiments exhibited that the adsorption of DCF was fitted well with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The maximum adsorption capacity of PmPD-MF-PVA was 115 mg/g. Meanwhile, PmPD-MF-PVA exhibited better separation ability than the hard-to-separate PmPD. Characterization analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculation elucidated the main mechanisms of DCF adsorption on PmPD-MF-PVA. Hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions were main drivers for DCF adsorption, followed by electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic forces. This study provides an effective strategy to overcome the drawbacks of PmPD, such as recycling difficulty and agglomeration problems, offering valuable insights for the design of polymers-based adsorbents. [Display omitted] • 3D foam skeletons guarantee fast mass transfer kinetics, good separation and recovery property. • The presence of polyvinyl alcohol increased the adsorption capacity of PmPD-MF-PVA toward DCF. • Independent Gradient Model visualized two major noncovalent interactions between PmPD and DCF. • The possible adsorption configurations of DCF onto PmPD and the binding energy were analyzed by DFT theoretical calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination from pharmaceuticals has received increased attention from researchers in the past 20 years. As such, numerous lab-scale studies have sought to characterize the effects of these contaminants on various targets, as well as determine improved removal methods. Many studies have used lab-scale bioreactors to investigate pharmaceutical effects on wastewater bacteria, as wastewater treatment plants often act as reservoirs for pharmaceuticals. However, few—if any—of these studies report the specific lab materials used during testing, such as tubing or pipette tip type. In this study, the pharmaceuticals erythromycin, diclofenac, and gemfibrozil were exposed to different micropipette tips, syringe filters, and tubing types, and losses over time were evaluated. Losses to tubing and syringe filters were particularly significant and neared 100%, depending on the pharmaceutical compound and length of exposure time. Results discussed herein indicate that pharmaceutical sorption to various lab supplies results in decreases to both dosed and quantified pharmaceutical concentrations. Studies that fail to consider this source of loss may therefore draw inaccurate conclusions about pharmaceutical effects or removal efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous two-tier experiments designed to test agronomical (treated wastewater) and worst-case scenario (wastewater spiked with a mixture of 14 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) at 10 and 100 μg/L), 14 different wastewater-borne PPCPs accumulated in soil, lettuce roots, and leaves leading to a significant ecotoxicological impact on soil and root-associated bacteria. Here, we assessed the effects of wastewater irrigation on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization, diversity, and composition in lettuce roots. Neither the wastewater nor the concentration of spiked PPCPs had an impact on the colonization, alpha-diversity indices (Chao1, PD whole tree, Simpson reciprocal, and Shannon), and composition of root-associated AMF communities. Taxonomical analysis of the fungi revealed the presence of 14 major phylotypes, 13 of which belonged to the Glomeromycota division. As for the alpha and beta diversity indices, none of the phylotypes was affected by either the wastewater or the PPCPs. This indicates that under both agronomical and worst-case scenario, the irrigation of lettuce with wastewater had no effect on the root-associated AMF community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill leachate contributes significantly to the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment, and is a crucial source of contamination. To examine the occurrence of PPCPs and microbial communities, this study comprehensively investigated the concentrations of PPCPs and the abundance of microorganisms in the leachate from 17 municipal landfills across China. Generally, Lidocaine, Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate-C11, and Triclocarban, which are closely associated with human activities, exhibited a detection frequency of 100 % in the leachate. Driven by consumer demand, analgesic and antipyretic drugs have emerged as the most prominent PPCPs in leachate (accounting for 39.9 %). Notably, the Ibuprofen peaked at 56.3 μg/L. Regarding spatial distribution, the contamination of PPCPs in leachates from the eastern regions of China was significantly higher than that in other regions, owing to the level of economic development and demographic factors. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA results revealed significant differences in microbial communities among the leachates from different areas. Although the impact of PPCPs on microbial communities may not be as significant as that of environmental factors, most positive correlations between PPCPs and microorganisms indicate their potential role in providing nutrients and creating favorable conditions for microbial growth. Overall, this research offers new perspectives on the residual features of PPCPs and the microbial community structure in leachates from various regions in China. [Display omitted] • Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate-C10, Triclocarban, and Lidocaine were detected in all raw leachates. • Analgesic and antipyretic drugs were the largest class of PPCPs in the leachate. • Physicochemical properties of the leachate had a greater influence on the microbial communities compared to PPCPs. • Most PPCPs in leachate showed significant positive correlation with microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Dual-functional (–COOH, –NH 2) covalent organic polymer (COP) was synthesized. • Granular aerogels (CCN-AG- x , x = COP loading) were prepared from COP and chitosan. • CCN-AG-80 exhibited the best combination of surface area and mechanical strength. • CCN-AG-80 had low density, easy processability, & good solvent stability. • CCN-AG-80 featured high DFS adsorption capacity, fast kinetics, & recyclability. The adsorptive removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, such as diclofenac sodium (DFS), from water is of high environmental importance because of their adverse biological effects. Covalent organic polymers (COPs) show good DFS removal performance but are poorly suited for industrial applications because of their powder form. Herein, we synthesized an amine- and carboxyl group-rich aromatic COP (CCP-NH 2) with a large surface area (1227 m2/g) and used it to prepare a series of granular CCP-NH 2 /chitosan aerogels (CCN-AG- x , where x = 0–90 wt% is the loading of CCP-NH 2). The best-performing sample, CCN-AG-80, exhibited a high surface area and mechanical strength, low density, excellent stability in various solvents, and facile processability into different shapes. Moreover, CCN-AG-80 exhibited a high DFS adsorption capacity (501 mg/g), fast adsorption kinetics (<30 min), negligible interference from competing species, and good adsorption/desorption cycling behavior. The superior mechanical strength and excellent DFS removal performance of CCN-AG-80 were attributed to the synergistic effects of chitosan and CCP-NH 2. Moreover, CCN-AG-80 showed promising potential for the removal of various pharmaceutical contaminants from water. Synthesizing granular aerogels from the combination of chitosan and COP with large surface area and diverse heteroatoms would be an efficient strategy to develop adsorbents for the removal of pollutants from water media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a fate model of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), including acetaminophen, caffeine, and crotamiton, derived from combined sewer overflow (CSO) in the Tokyo coastal area. The target PPCPs were proposed as promising sewage markers having different persistency during treatment processes and in the environmental water. The PPCP model consists of hydrodynamic calculations and environmental kinetics by biodegradation and photodegradation. We considered inputs from pumping stations, sewage treatment plants, and urban rivers as CSO sources. We measured the PPCPs concentrations, Escherichia coli, and salinity in the collected surface water samples from several locations around Tokyo coastal area for consecutive days after rainfall events in October 2017 (113 mm), June 2018 (81 mm), and July 2018 (67 mm). We found high correspondence between simulation and monitoring results on E. coli and three PPCPs in the coastal locations for all events, suggesting that the model has the potential to quantitatively evaluate CSO-derived contaminants in the Odaiba Seaside Park and nearby locations. Simulation showed that acetaminophen concentration rapidly declined due to its susceptibility to sunlight and biodegradation. Caffeine and E. coli showed different attenuation rates, whereas crotamiton concentration did not change because of its comparable concentration level in CSO.

A wide range of unregulated chemicals of synthetic origin or derived from natural sources, which may be a contender for future regulations are called Emerging Contaminants (ECs). The concentration of ECs ranges from ng/L to μg/L, which is comparatively smaller as compared to other pollutants present in water and wastewater. Even though the environmental concentration is low, ECs still possess a great threat to the humans and ecosystem. These compounds are being widely studied due to their potential health effects, pervasive nature, and difficult degradation through conventional techniques. Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) or pharmaceutical contaminants (PCs) are one of the major groups of ECs which can cause inimical effect on living organisms even at very lower concentration. These contaminants don't degrade easily and persistent for longer periods in the environment due to their stable structure. With the increase in demand of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs), there has been a sharp increase of these pollutants in water bodies. This is mainly due to the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants in treatment and removal of these PhACs. The proper identification of pharmaceutical groups and development of removal techniques is crucial in the recent times. This review represents a comprehensive summary on PCs, various groups of PCs and an overview of approaches and treatment systems available for their removal. Efficient and effective treatment methods can be useful for completely eradicating these compounds and making the water bodies safe for use. So, the investment of capital and time on research on PCs and their removal techniques can be beneficial for the future.

Previous studies have highlighted the toxicity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in plants, yet understanding their spatial distribution within plant tissues and specific toxic effects remains limited. This study investigates the spatial-specific toxic effects of carbamazepine (CBZ), a prevalent PPCP, in plants. Utilizing desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI), CBZ and its transformation products were observed predominantly at the leaf edges, with 2.3-fold higher concentrations than inner regions, which was confirmed by LC-MS. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses revealed significant differences in gene expression and metabolite levels between the inner and outer leaf regions, emphasizing the spatial location's role in CBZ response. Notably, photosynthesis-related genes were markedly downregulated, and photosynthetic efficiency was reduced at leaf edges. Additionally, elevated oxidative stress at leaf edges was indicated by higher antioxidant enzyme activity, cell membrane impairment, and increased free fatty acids. Given the increased oxidative stress at the leaf margins, the study suggests using in situ Raman spectroscopy for early detection of CBZ-induced damage by monitoring reactive oxygen species levels. These findings provide crucial insights into the spatial toxicological mechanisms of CBZ in plants, forming a basis for future spatial toxicology research of PPCPs.

The pressing concern of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water, particularly with the increased usage of acetaminophen (ACE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, draws attention to the necessity for efficient water treatment. This study introduces tailored electrocatalytic carbon membranes featuring naturally doped nitrogen functionalities for energy-efficient electrochemical water treatment. The introduction of graphitic-N functionality into polyacrylonitrile electrospun fibers can be achieved through carbonization and activation processes, forming a freestanding electrocatalytic carbon membrane (ECM). In addition, in-situ immobilization of TiO 2 on the ECM enables a deeper exploration of catalyst's role in generating reactive oxygen species. As demonstrated, the enriched graphitic N in the membrane contributed to an enhanced electron transfer ability, resulting in extraordinary electrocatalytic activities. Note that graphitic N also served as site-specific active sites for ACE degradation. By utilizing the electrocatalytic carbon membranes, complete degradation of ACE was achieved within 60 min, with an electrical energy per order (EEO) of approximately 0.6 kWh/m3/order. This demonstrates the high degradation efficiency and low energy requirement of the system. Moreover, scavenger experiments demonstrate the significant involvement of O 2 •–, •OH and 1O 2 in ACE degradation. Within the TiO 2 decoration, there is a notable enhancement in the contribution of •OH during the degradation process. Overall, this study not only innovates electrocatalytic membrane design and catalyst immobilization but also advances our understanding of site-specific reactive processes in electrified water treatment. [Display omitted] • Electrocatalytic carbon membranes with abundant active sites were prepared. • Tailored graphitic-N functionality enhances the electrocatalytic performance. • Graphitic N serves as specific active sites for acetaminophen degradation. • High degradation efficiency with low energy requirements was achieved. • Superoxide radicals play a dominant role among reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the extensive use and pseudo-persistence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), they are frequently detected in the aqueous environment, which has attracted global attention. In this paper, accumulation data of 81 PPCPs in surface water or sediment in China were reported. In addition, 20 kinds of PPCPs with high frequency were selected and their ecological risk assessment was conducted by risk quotient (RQs). The results indicated that the concentration detected in surface water and sediment ranged from ng/L (ng/kg) to μg/L (μg/kg) in China, which was similar to concentrations reported globally. However, contamination by certain PPCPs, such as caffeine, oxytetracycline, and erythromycin, was relatively high with a maximum concentration of more than 2000 ng/L in surface water. RQs revealed that 14 kinds of PPCPs pose no significant risk or low risk to aquatic organisms, while 6 kinds of PPCPs pose a high risk. Additionally, the pollution characteristics of PPCPs in each watershed are different. The Haihe River watershed and the central and lower Yangtze River were the regions of high concern for erythromycin. Triclosan has potential risks in the Pearl River watershed. This study determined the occurrence and risk of PPCPs in China in the past decade, providing a scientific basis for PPCPs pollution control and risk prevention.

The Sumida river estuary of Tokyo bay is often affected by fecal contamination from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This study monitored the surface water quality from the upstream of the Sumida river to the estuary in October 2017, June 2018, and July 2018 after three long-duration rainfall events. Several types of sewage markers, including fecal bacteria and two types of bacteriophages as microbial markers, and five pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as chemical markers were used to evaluate fecal contamination. CSO discharge was estimated separately from pumping stations and overflow chambers. The dominant contribution from overflow chambers was estimated to be as high as 86 – 91% of total discharge volume indicating their significance in controlling CSO pollution. High concentrations of sewage marker were observed in a wide area due to CSO discharge of more than 30 h in all 3 events. Escherichia coli was found to be as high as 4.00 – 4.57 log10 (CFU/100 mL). Meanwhile, caffeine showed the highest concentration of 2105 ng/L among PPCPs. It was found to be a useful indicator of recent contamination that captured a unique spatial distribution tendency. On the other hand, crotamiton, a conservative PPCP, was found to be highly diluted and might not be appropriate for tracking pollutants under heavy rainfall events. The effect of CSO discharge pattern and tidal change on the distribution of sewage markers, including dispersion degree and pollutants travel time, was described. CSO pollutants were found to accumulate in the river mouth areas during high tide before being discharged into the estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have received extensive attention as a new type of pollutant inin the 21st century, and the ecological and health risks caused by PPCPs have gradually been recognized by government regulatory agencies. Daily use of PPCPs has led to their frequent detection and high concentrations in the influent, effluent, and sludge of wastewater treatment plants, but traditional wastewater treatment processes can't remove them effectively. Most research about enhancing the removal of PPCPs through microbial degradation, photodegradation, and ozonation is still in the laboratory research stage, and the removal effects are not satisfactory when applied to actual sewage treatment. Therefore, the effective removal of PPCPs from domestic wastewater is a critical technical problem that urgently needs to be studied and solved in the coming years. At present, many scholars do not have a comprehensive understanding about the degradation and transformation behaviors of microbes, ultraviolet, and ozone for typical PPCPs in the wastewater treatment process, so it is necessary to conduct a systematic analysis and discussion. In this study, 16 typical PPCPs frequently detected in sewage treatment plants were selected as research objects through a literature review. The occurrence, removal characteristics, and sludge adsorption properties of typical PPCPs in wastewater treatment plants were analyzed and summarized. The degradation and transformation behavior of typical PPCPs under microbial, ultraviolet, and ozone treatments in the wastewater treatment process were also discussed. Finally, based on current research gaps, some research directions for the removal and transformation of PPCPs in wastewater were proposed:① investigation into the removal characteristics of PPCPs by actual biochemical treatment; ② study on the mechanism of microbial degradation and transformation of typical PPCPs during biochemical treatment; ③ study on the degradation and transformation mechanism of typical PPCPs by UV/ozone in an actual sewage system; and ④ research on the application technology of removing PPCPs from sewage via microbial degradation, photodegradation, ozone oxidation, etc. The relevant results of this study can provide a reference for the pollution control of typical PPCPs in the sewage treatment process.

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[Display omitted] • An electro-Fenton coupled membrane filtration (EF-MF) device is used to remove bisphenol A. • Both electro-Fenton and membrane filtering processes played crucial roles in the removal of bisphenol A. • A porous Fe 3 O 4 /FeO/Fe@C catalyst was creatively used in the electro-Fenton process. • The catalyst can effectively accelerate the conversion between ZVI, Fe(Ⅱ) and Fe(Ⅲ). • The catalyst has good stability, and can be easily recovered by magnetism separation. An electro-Fenton coupled membrane filtration system (abbreviated as EF-MF system) was constructed for the efficient removal of bisphenol A (abbreviated as BPA, a kind of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, abbreviated as PPCPs). In the EF-MF system, a porous Fe 3 O 4 /FeO/Fe@C catalyst was synthesized and applied to enhance the electro-Fenton reaction, and polyvinylidene fluoride/carbon fiber cloth composite cathode membrane was used as both cathode electrode and membrane. Characterization results indicated the porous Fe 3 O 4 /FeO/Fe@C catalyst exhibited micron-level rod morphology and was in an encapsulated structure with Fe 3 O 4 /FeO/Fe composite nanoparticles covered by porous graphitic carbon. Degradation experiments indicated the EF-MF system exhibited great removal efficiency (approximately 96.97%) towards BPA within 70 min in the conditions of catalyst dosing at 0.500 g·L−1, the value of pH at 3 and the current density at 0.67 mA cm−2. Quenching experiments verified both OH radical and O2− radical played significant roles in the decomposition of BPA. The mass formation of reactive oxygen radicals was mostly owing to the easy access of H 2 O 2 to the activated sites of the porous Fe 3 O 4 /FeO/Fe@C catalyst through the porous structure and the rapid cycle conversion between zero-valent iron (ZVI), Fe(Ⅱ) and Fe(Ⅲ). Based on the results of intermediates identification, three possible decomposition pathways were presented. Toxicity analysis exhibited most of the intermediates were in less toxicity than BPA. Moreover, the EF-MF system exhibited good stability after four-cyclic utilization. This work provides an efficient and energy-saving strategy for the removal of PPCPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging contaminants frequently detected in aquatic environments at trace levels. These chemicals have diverse structures and physicochemical properties and includes pharmaceuticals like antibiotics, antihypertensive drugs, antiviral drugs, and psychotropic drugs that are widely used in large quantities worldwide. Considering the large number of pharmaceuticals currently in usage, it is crucial to establish a priority list of PPCPs that should be monitored and/or treated first. An accurate understanding of the occurrence and levels of PPCPs in aquatic environments is essential for providing objective materials for monitoring these emerging contaminants. Therefore, accurate, efficient, sensitive, and high-throughput screening techniques need to be established for determining and quantifying PPCPs. This study developed a method for the determination of 145 PPCPs (grouped into eleven categories: antibiotics, antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetic drugs, antiviral drugs, β -receptor agonists, nitroimidazoles, H 2 receptor antagonists, psychotropic drugs, hypolipidemic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and others) in water. The method was based on large volume direct injection without sample enrichment and cleanup and used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Water samples were collected and filtered through a 0.22-μm regenerated cellulose (RC) filter membrane. Subsequently, Na 2 EDTA was added to the samples to adjust their pH to 6.0-8.0. Internal standards were mixed with the solutions, and because of the addition of Na 2 EDTA, the interference of metal ions could be eliminated in the determination of compounds, especially for tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics. Among the six filter membranes tested in this study (PES, PFTE-Q, PFTE, MCE, GHP, and RC), RC filter membranes were screened for water sample filtration. The UHPLC-MS/MS parameters were optimized by comparing the results of various mobile phases, as well as by establishing the best instrumental conditions. The 145 PPCPs were separated using an Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column (50 mm×3 mm, 2.6 μm) via gradient elution. The mobile phases were 0.1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution containing 5 mmol/L ammonium formate and acetonitrile for positive ion modes, 5 mmol/L aqueous solutions of ammonium formate and acetonitrile for negative ion modes. The samples were quantified using the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (scheduled-MRM) mode with electrospray ionization in positive and negative ion modes. A standard internal calibration procedure was used to calculate contents of sample. The established method was systematically verified, and it demonstrated a good linear relationship. The average recoveries of the 145 PPCPs at the three spiked levels were in the range of 80.4%-128% with relative standard deviations (RSDs, n =6) of 0.6%-15.6%. The method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 0.015 to 5.515 ng/L. Finally, the optimization method was applied to analyze the 145 PPCPs in 11 surface water samples and 6 drinking water samples. Overall, 93 (64%) out of the 145 analytes were detected. The total contents of the PPCPs in surface water samples ranged from 276.9 to 2705.7 ng/L. The detection frequencies of antidiabetic, antiviral, and psychotropic drugs were 100%. The total contents of the PPCPs in drinking water samples ranged from 140.5 to 211.5 ng/L, and antibiotics, antidiabetic drugs, and antiviral drugs comprised the largest proportion of analytes (by mass concentration) in drinking water samples. Our method exhibited high analytical speed and high sensitivity. It is thus suitable for the trace analysis and determination of the 145 PPCPs in environmental water and showed improved detection efficiency for PPCPs in water, indicating that it has a high potential for practical applications. This study can extend technical support for further pollution-level analysis of PPCPs in water and provide an objective basis for environmental management.

We synthesized composite microspheres from cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and sodium alginate (SA), which were modified with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to introduce a high density of active amino sites onto the surface via the Schiff base reaction. We hypothesized that these (SA/CNC/PVA)@PEI microspheres would have a high adsorption capacity for aqueous diclofenac sodium (DS). The PEI-modified composite microspheres were characterized and assessed and optimized for aqueous DS adsorption. In addition, the morphology and synthesis mechanism of the adsorbent were studied. The adsorption process showed a good fit with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (i.e., the process is driven by a chemical adsorption mechanism) and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (i.e., adsorption follows a single-layer process). Under the optimum experimental conditions (pH: 4.5, adsorption time: 50 min, temperature: 303 K), the maximum adsorption capacity was 418.4104 mg/g, which was relatively high compared to other reported adsorbents. Importantly, after five adsorption–desorption cycles, (SA/CNC/PVA)@PEI showed only a slight loss in adsorption capacity. Compared with other reported adsorbents, the core–shell composite has a good DS adsorptive capacity and high recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) by using solar photolysis in the presence of free available chlorine (FAC) was investigated in simulated drinking water. The combination of free available chlorine and sunlight irradiation dramatically accelerated the degradation of all the contaminants tested through the generation of hydroxyl radicals, reactive chlorine species (RCS) and ozone. Contaminants containing electron-donating moieties degraded quickly and were preferentially degraded by RCS and/or HO oxidation. Primidone, ibuprofen and atrazine, which contain electron-withdrawing moieties, were mainly degraded by HO. Trace amounts of O 3 contributed greatly to carbamazepine's degradation. Degradation of PPCPs was accelerated in oxygenated solutions. Increasing chlorine concentrations barely enhanced removal of PPCPs bearing electron-withdrawing moieties. Higher pH generally decreased the degradation rate constants along with reduced levels of HO and Cl , but diclofenac, gemfibrozil, caffeine and carbamazepine had peak degradation rate constants at pH 7–8. The cytotoxicity using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell did not show significant enhancement in solar/FAC treated water. Combining chlorination with sunlight may provide a simple and energy-efficient approach for improving the removal of organic contaminants during water treatment. Unlabelled Image • PPCP elimination in drinking water by solar/FAC treatment was explored. • The contribution of HO , RCS, O 3 and FAC to PPCP removal was calculated. • PPCP degradation was accelerated in oxygenated solutions. • Lower pH favored PPCP removal, but some PPCPs had peak degradation rates at pH 7–8. • The cytotoxicity did not show great enhancement in solar/FAC treated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban wastewater inputs are a relevant pollution source to rivers, contributing a complex mixture of nutrients, organic matter and organic microcontaminants to these systems. Depending on their composition, WWTP effluents might perform either as enhancers (subsidizers) or inhibitors (stressors) of biological activities. In this study, we evaluated in which manner biofilms were affected by treated urban WWTP effluent, and how much they recovered after exposure was terminated. We used indoor artificial streams in a replicated regression design, which were operated for a total period of 56 days. During the first 33 days, artificial streams were fed with increasing concentration of treated effluents starting with non-contaminated water and ending with undiluted effluent. During the recovery phase, the artificial streams were fed with unpolluted water. Sewage effluents contained high concentrations of personal care products, pharmaceuticals, nutrients, and dissolved organic matter. Changes in community structure, biomass, and biofilm function were most pronounced in those biofilms exposed to 58% to 100% of WWTP effluent, moving from linear to quadratic or cubic response patterns. The return to initial conditions did not allow for complete biofilm recovery, but biofilms from the former medium diluted treatments were the most benefited (enhanced response), while those from the undiluted treatments showed higher stress (inhibited response). Our results indicated that the effects caused by WWTP effluent discharge on biofilm structure and function respond to the chemical pressure only in part, and that the biofilm dynamics (changes in community composition, increase in thickness) imprint particular response pathways over time. Unlabelled Image • Biofilm responses to an exposure gradient to urban wastewaters were assessed and compared to their recovery • The patterns of response differed between variables and changed through time • Even the unpolluted-state conditions were restored biofilms did not recover, evidencing a legacy effect • Biofilm structural and functional responses not only depended on the chemical pressure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Increased water demands due to population growth and increased urbanisation have driven adoption of various water reuse practices. The irrigation of greywater (water from all household uses, except toilets) has been proposed as one potential sustainable practice. Research has clearly identified environmental harm from the presence of micro-pollutants in soils, groundwater and surface water. Greywater contains a range of micro pollutants yet very little is known about their potential environmental fate when greywater is irrigated to soil. Therefore, this study assessed whether organic micro-pollutants in irrigated greywater were transferred to shallow groundwater and an adjacent surface waterway. A total of 22 organic micro-pollutants were detected in greywater. Six of these (acesulfame, caffeine, DEET, paracetamol, salicylic acid and triclosan) were selected as potential tracers of greywater contamination. Three of these chemicals (acesulfame, caffeine, DEET) were detected in the groundwater, while salicylic acid was also detected in adjacent surface water. Caffeine and DEET in surface water were directly attributable to greywater irrigation. Thus the practice of greywater irrigation can act as a source of organic micro-pollutants to shallow groundwater and nearby surface water. The full list of micro-pollutants that could be introduced via greywater and the risk they pose to aquatic ecosystems is not yet known. Graphical abstract Conceptual diagram of greywater irrigation and its potential off-site transport and environmental impacts. Different household demographics and the households' product use result in variable greywater chemical composition and concentrations of individual chemicals. Household products enter greywater and ① are stored in a concrete tank then distributed via sub-surface irrigation Image 1 potentially resulting in direct infiltration Image 2 and indirect deep drainage Image 3 accumulation of greywater chemicals (soil adsorption - direct ②) and/or off-site transport (desorption/leaching - direct and indirect ③); lateral movement of contaminated groundwater to surface water ④; and surface runoff with soil erosion ⑤; atmospheric volatilization ⑥ as well as plant and organism uptake ⑦ (Pathways 5, 6 and 7 were out of scope of the study)-and the hazard impacts in three connected environmental compartments: soil Image 4 ; groundwater Image 5 (via sampling at the piezometer); and surface water Image 6. Courtesy of the Integration and Application Network, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (ian.umces.edu /symbols/). Unlabelled Image Highlights • 22 organic micro-pollutants were detected in greywater water quality samples. • Micro-pollutants from irrigated greywater have been detected in the local hydrosphere. • Caffeine and DEET in surface water were directly attributable to greywater irrigation. • The extent of micro-pollutants and the risk they pose to hydrosphere is not yet known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • O 3 -MB was applied to remove 39 pharmaceuticals in 10 therapeutic classes in water. • Over 90% removal rate was obtained for 33 compounds (>80% for 37 compounds). • O 3 -MB enhanced removal efficiency by 8–34% relative to the conventional O 3. • UV and/or H 2 O 2 increased the reaction rate constant by 2.9–5.5 times relative to O 3 -MB. • MB treatment improved O 3 consumption up to 2.8 times higher than O 3 treatments. Abstract Ozonated-microbubble (O 3 -MB) was applied to remove 39 pharmaceuticals in 10 therapeutic classes (ant-ivirals, anti-bacterials, anti-cancer drugs, psychotropics, anti-hypertensives, analgesic-antipyretics, contrast media, bronchodilators, anti-pruritics, and herbal medicines) in water and the results were compared with those given by O 3 alone and combined treatments with UV, and/or H 2 O 2 , or both. The summarized results clearly indicate that O 3 -MB based treatments significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced removal rates by 8–34% to O 3 alone, and removal rates of >90% (>80%) were attained for 33 (37) compounds. Introduction of MB technology was indispensable to improve degradation of famciclovir (anti-viral), bicalutamide (anti-cancer), sulpiride (phychotropic) and acetaminophen glucuronide (analgesic-antipyretic) over 96.0%. Recalcitrant properties of all contrast media type compounds (iohexol, ioversol, iopromide, iomeprol and iopamidol) agains t both O 3 and O 3 -MB were significantly improved by combined treatment with UV, and removal rates became 93.8–98.8% from 0% to 52.0%, indicating effectiveness of combined use of photolysis more than oxidation by hydroxyl radicals. Combination of UV and/or H 2 O 2 with O 3 -MB increased the reaction rate constant by 2.9–5.5 times in average relative to O 3 and O 3 -MB. In addition, MB treatment improved O 3 consumption up to 2.8 times higher than the O 3 treatments. These results indicate that the combined treatments of O 3 -MB with UV and/or H 2 O 2 could minimize the environmental pollutant load of pharmaceuticals discharged into rivers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation which showed enhancement of removal rates of multiple pharmaceuticals together with combined use of UV and/or H 2 O 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Environmental fate of 58 pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) grouped into 11 therapeutic classes in the three different waters, hospital effluent, sewage treatment plant (STP) and river water, was estimated by combination of their quantitative concentration analysis and evaluation of their extent of contribution as loading sources. At the same time, distribution of six classes of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (AMRB) in the same water samples was estimated by screening of individual PhC-resistant microbes grown on each specific chromogenic medium. The results indicate that 48 PhCs were detected ranged from 1 ng/L (losartan carboxylic acid) to 228 μg/L (acetaminophen sulfate) in hospital effluent, and contribution of the pollution load derived from hospital effluent to STP influent was estimated as 0.1% to 15%. On the other hand, contribution of STP effluent to river water was high, 32% to 60% for antibacterials, antipertensives and X-ray contrast media. In the cases for AMRB, detected numbers of colonies of AMRB in hospital effluent ranged from 29 CFU/mL to 1805 CFU/mL, and the estimated contribution of the AMRB pollution load derived from hospital effluent to STP influent was as low as 0.1% (levofloxacin and olmesartan) to 5.1% (N -desmethyl tamoxifen). Although the contribution of STPs as loading sources of PhCs and AMRB in surface waters was large, ozonation as an advanced water treatment system effectively removed a wide range of both PhCs and AMRB in water samples. These results suggest the importance of reducing environmental pollutant loads (not only at STPs but also at medical facilities) before being discharged into the surface waters, to both conserve water and keep the water environment safe. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the distribution and contribution of AMRB from hospital effluent to the surface waters. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A year-round monitoring survey of urban hospital effluent in Japan was performed. • 58 pharmaceuticals and 6 drug-resistant bacteria in hospital effluent were surveyed. • Drug-resistant bacteria were detected at 29 to 1805 CFU/mL. • The hospital pharmaceutical pollution load of STP influent varied from 0.1% to 15%. • Ozone treatment effectively removed the targeted pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A series of magnetic particles (NDAMs) were fabricated and characterized. • NDAM-40 is the most effective and possessed the largest specific surface area. • NDAM-40 is confirmed to be amphiphilic for its highest nitrogen content and smallest contact angle. • NDAM-40 can remove a wide range of PPCPs quickly and completely. • The PPCPs' adsorption capacities of NDAM-40 are much larger than that of activated carbon Norit. Abstract Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging contaminants that have gained increasing attention in recent years. Conventional adsorption materials exhibit poor efficiency in removing PPCPs. In this regard, a series of magnetic particles (Nanda Amphiphilic Materials, NDAMs) was fabricated and characterized in this study. These materials were prepared by special polymerization with different monomer proportions [ N -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP)/divinylbenzene, (DVB)]. Characterization results indicated that NDAM-40 (n (NVP) :n (DVB) , 6:4) was the most effective and possessed the largest BET surface area (650 m2/g) among the nine prepared NDMAs. NDAM-40 also possessed the highest nitrogen content (1.13%) and the smallest contact angle (71.5°). Seventeen representative PPCPs were chosen to investigate the adsorption performance of NDAM-40. Norit, a commercial activated carbon, was used for comparison. NDAM-40 exhibited faster adsorption rate than Norit. For most PPCPs, the pseudo-second-order rate constants of NDAM-40 were more than five times higher than those of Norit. The amounts (Q e) of most PPCPs adsorbed on NDAM-40 were two to five times higher than those on Norit. NDAM-40 was applicable to water purification because of its definite advantages in terms of removal efficiency and recyclability. The removal efficiency of 17 PPCPs exceeded 80% when using NDAM-40 , and only 20%–70% when using Norit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We examined the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in surface water by combining laboratory experiments with numerical simulations. The degradation processes of two typical PPCPs (triclosan and carbamazepine) collected from the Shahe Stream were studied. Hydrolysis, biodegradation, and photolysis were the three major routes of triclosan (TCS) and carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation. A central composite design method was used to investigate the effects of related natural parameters (including pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, light intensity, and humic acid) on the TCS and CBZ degradation processes in the laboratory. Our results showed that the main degradation pathway of CBZ and TCS was direct photolysis during the daytime and that the maximal biodegradation rates of CBZ and TCS occurred at 22 °C when the optimum temperature function was used. Based on our experimental results, the observed degradation of CBZ and TCS followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the degradation kinetic equations under the influence of multiple natural parameters were established with estimated average degradation rate constants of 1.2452E−7 s−1 and 3.1260E−5 s−1 for CBZ and TCS, respectively. The degradation rate constants were incorporated into a one-dimensional, simply integrated hydrodynamic and water quality model. The proposed numerical model was applied to depict the transportation and transformation of CBZ and TCS in surface water and was validated by observational data from the Shahe Stream. The results showed that our model reproduced the observed patterns of CBZ and TCS concentrations reasonably, with slight overestimations compared to the observed data; the relative errors between the simulated and the observed concentrations were 5.85%–6.82% for CBZ and −156.85%–−7.18% for TCS. According to our simulation, the spatial distribution of TCS in surface water was determined by biochemical degradation processes that were most affected by temperature under natural conditions; in contrast, the distribution of CBZ was largely controlled by diffusion. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The diffusion largely controlled the spatial distribution of CBZ in the Shahe stream, and the fate of TCS was demanded by the biochemical degradation process. • The degradations of CBZ and TCS are given priority to direct photolysis during daytime and mainly affected by temperature. • A numerical model depicting the transport and transformations of PPCPs in surface water is reasonably established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The solar/chlorine process produces multiple reactive species by solar photolysis of chlorine, which can be used as an energy-efficient technology for water treatment. This study investigated the effects of pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) on the degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and on the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the solar/chlorine system. The degradation of 24 structurally diverse PPCPs was enhanced appreciably in the solar/chlorine system compared to solar irradiation and dark chlorination. The reactive species in the solar/chlorine system were identified to be hydroxyl radicals (HO), reactive chlorine species (RCS, i.e., Cl and ClO) and ozone. With increasing pH from 6 to 8, the steady-state concentrations of HO and Cl decreased from 1.23 × 10−14 M to 4.79 × 10−15 M and from 9.80 × 10−16 M to 4.31 × 10−16 M, respectively, whereas that of ClO increased from 5.30 × 10−14 M to 2.68 × 10−13 M and the exposure of ozone increased from 0.44 μM min to 1.01 μM min in 90 min. Accordingly, the removal efficiencies of 6 PPCPs decreased and 11 PPCPs increased. The decreased removal of PPCPs with increasing pH was due to the decrease in HO and Cl , while the increased removal was attributed to the increased ClO and ozone. The presence of DO enhanced the degradation of most PPCPs, indicating the role of ozone on the degradation. The formation of total organic chlorine (TOCl) and known DBPs was enhanced by 60.7% and 159.4%, respectively, in the solar/chlorine system compared to chlorination in a simulated drinking water containing 2.5 mg L−1 natural organic matter (NOM). As the pH rose from 6 to 8, TOCl formation decreased by 16.2%, while that of known DBPs increased by 58.6% in solar/chlorine. The absence of DO slightly suppressed the formation of TOCl and known DBPs. This study illustrated the significant role of RCS in the solar/chlorine system, which enhanced the degradation of micropollutants but increased the formation of chlorinated DBPs. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Effects of pH and DO on PPCP degradation and DBP formation in solar/chlorine were studied. • Solar/chlorine showed good performance for the abatement of structurally diverse PPCPs. • Increasing pH decreased HO and Cl , but enhanced ClO and ozone. • The presence of DO enhanced the degradation of most PPCPs. • The formation of TOCl and known DBPs was enhanced in solar/chlorine, but not for toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in New Zealand freshwaters are not well documented for regulatory assessments. We collected water and sediment samples for measurement of 26 EOC compound concentrations at four waterways within the city of Dunedin (Otago province). Compounds measured ranged from stimulants and depressants to pain-killers and insect repellants. Sampling was conducted before and after the student 'Orientation Week' at the University of Otago. Most compounds were below detection limits in all samples. However, caffeine, carbamazepine, cotinine and DEET were all measured at concentrations above detection limits. In general, concentrations of EOC compounds were ∼20% higher following the influx of students to the University though student effects varied by site and additional sampling is needed to better assess temporal variation in concentrations. These data indicate that some EOCs are present in New Zealand freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commercialized and widely applied nanofiltration membrane, NF90, was in-situ modified through a surface grafting modification method by using 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt and initiators. The effects of water electrical conductivity (EC) and fouling types on membrane separation efficiency were examined before and after membrane modification. Results reveal that both the pristine membrane (PTM) and surface grafting modification membrane (SGMM) had a declining permeate flux and salt (NaCl) removal efficiency but an increasing trend of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) removal with increasing water EC from 250 to 10,000 μs cm−1. However, SGMM exhibited a slightly declining permeate flux but 13%–17% and 1%–42% higher rejection of salt and PPCPs, respectively, compared with PTM, due to electrostatic repulsion and size exclusion provided by the grafted polymer. After sodium alginate (SA) and humic acid (HA) fouling, SGMM had 17%–26% and 16%–32% higher salt rejection and 1%–12% and 1%–51% greater PPCP removal, respectively, compared with PTM due to the additional steric barrier layer contributed by the foulants. The successful grafting and increasing hydrophilicity of the SGMM were confirmed by contact angle analysis, which was beneficial for mitigating membrane fouling. Overall, the proposed in-situ surface grafting modification of NF90 can considerably mitigate organic and biological fouling while raising the rejection of salt and PPCPs at different background water EC, which is beneficial for practical applications in producing clean and high quality water for consumers. [Display omitted] • SGMM can maintain a stable water permeability at different water EC. • Size exclusion and electrostatic repulsion dominate salt and PPCP rejection for SGMM. • An additional barrier enhanced salt and PPCP rejection by PTM and SGMM after fouling. • A trace amount of the hydrophobic PPCPs adsorbed on the membrane and fouling layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new carbon black (CB)-doped Ce (III, IV)-MOF composite with dumbbell-shaped was ultrarapid synthesized at room temperature for simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AC) in complex matrices samples by electrochemical method. [Display omitted] • A carbon black-doped Ce (III, IV)-MOF composites was synthesized by ultrarapid method at room temperature. • The mixed-valent composites was used as electrochemical sensor for simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AC). • The excellent performance of the homemade electrochemical sensor was attributed to the conductivity of carbon black, the excellent electrocatalytic performance of Ce(III, IV)-MOF and the synergistic effect of both. • The proposed method provided a rapid, effective and low-cost method for superior capture DA and AC. Simple and rapid analytical methods for pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are in high demand for environment monitoring. Herein, an in-situ doping strategy was used to ultrarapid synthesize carbon black (CB)-doped Ce (III, IV)-MOF composite with dumbbell-shaped structure at room temperature, which had been used as an electrochemical sensor for the effective and simultaneous detection of typical PPCPs such as dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AC) in complex matrices samples using different pulse voltammetry (DPV). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Nitrogen adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) were used to characterize the morphological and electrochemical properties of synthesized a series material. The mixed-valent CB/Ce (III, IV)-MOF with excellent pore structure properties provided more exposed active sites, which were more conducive to adsorption and thus improved sensing performance. The result showed that the proposed method had a wide linear range (for DA: 0.3–252.0 µM, for AC: 0.3–252.0 µM) and low detection limits (for DA: 0.0955 µM, for AC: 0.1170 µM). Based on the synergistic effect of both CB and Ce (III, IV)-MOF, the composites modified electrodes had excellent electroanalytical capability for DA and AC, which could be used for efficient and rapid monitoring of ECs and the construction of new electrochemical sensor based on MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and removal rate of 52 typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were investigated in a wastewater treatment plant in Beijing, China. Thirty-three PPCPs were found in the influent, with caffeine (CF, 11387.0 ng L−1) being the most abundant, followed by N,N-diethyl- meta -toluamide (DEET, 9568.4 ng L−1), metoprolol (MTP, 930.2 ng L−1), and diclofenac (DF, 710.3 ng L−1). After treatment processes, the cumulative concentration of PPCPs decreased from 2.54 × 104 ng L−1 to 1.44 × 103 ng L−1, with the overall removal efficiency (RE) of 94.3%. Different treatment processes showed varying contributions in removing PPCPs. PPCPs were efficiently removed in sedimentation, anoxic, and ultraviolet units. For individual compounds, a great variation in RE (52.1–100%) was observed. Twenty-two PPCPs were removed by more than 90%. The highly detected PPCPs in the influent were almost completely removed. Aerated grit chamber removed nearly 50% of fluoroquinolone (FQs) and more than 60% of sulfonamides. Most PPCPs showed low or negative removals during anaerobic treatment, except for CF which was eliminated by 64.9%. Anoxic treatment demonstrated positive removals for most PPCPs, with the exceptions of DF, MTP, bisoprolol, carbamazepine (CBZ), and sibutramine. DEET and bezafibrate were efficiently removed during the secondary sedimentation. Denitrification biological filter and membrane filtration also showed positive effect on most PPCPs removals. The remaining compounds were oxidized by 16–100% in ozonation. DF, sulpiride, ofloxacin (OFL), trimethoprim, and phenolphthalein were not amenable to ultraviolet. After the treatment, the residue OFL, CBZ, and CF in receiving water were identified to pose high risk to aquatic organisms. Considering the complex mixtures emitted into the environment, therapeutic groups psychotropics, stimulant, and FQs were classified as high risk. These findings provide valuable insights into adopting appropriate measures for more efficient PPCPs removals, and emphasize the importance of continued monitoring specific PPCPs and mixtures thereof to safeguard the ecosystem. [Display omitted] • 33 and 23 PPCPs were detected in WWTP influent and effluent, respectively. • The most abundant PPCPs were CF, DEET, MTP, and DF in influent. • A great variation of PPCPs in removal rates was observed from 52.1% to 100%. • Different treatment processes showed variable contribution in removing PPCPs. • The residue OFL, CBZ, and DF in receiving water pose high risks to aquatic life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aquidauana River is an important ecological corridor in the Pantanal biome. However, the growth of agricultural and urban areas along its banks has contributed to the deterioration of its water quality, consequently putting the aquatic biota at risk. Our objectives were to evaluate: 1) the composition of the landscape around six sampling sites located in the Aquidauana River middle section; and 2) the quality of its water by determining limnological parameters, concentrations of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), and the risks to native aquatic biota. Water samples were collected in November 2020. We observed the conversion of native riparian vegetation to extensive pasture areas and anthropic occupation around the sampling sites. We observed that the chlorophyll and total ammoniacal nitrogen values were above the standards established by Brazilian legislation in all samples. Studies focused on the quantification of CECs in the Pantanal waters are scarce, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the presence of pharmaceuticals in the Aquidauana River. All 30 CECs analyzed were detected in at least one water sample. Eleven CECs were quantified with eight pesticides (atrazine, diuron, hexazinone, tebuthiuron, azoxystrobin, carbendazim, tebuconazole, and fipronil) and one atrazine degradation product (atrazine-2-hydroxy), caffeine, and bisphenol A. The concentrations of atrazine herbicide observed in the water samples pose risks for protecting aquatic biota (RQs >1). Therefore, the native biota of the Pantanal biome is vulnerable to several types of toxic contaminants observed in the water, which can cause the disappearance of native and endemic species in this region. Establishing a monitoring program, improving sanitation infrastructure, and intensifying good agricultural practices are essential for reducing and controlling the entry of CECs into the Aquidauana River and the Pantanal water system. [Display omitted] • We observed the conversion of riparian forest into pasture around sampling sites. • Chlorophyll and total ammoniacal nitrogen values were above Brazilian legislation. • All 30 contaminants of emerging concern were detected in at least one water sample. • 8 pesticides and one degradation product, caffeine and bisphenol A were quantified. • Atrazine concentrations presented risks to aquatic biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging environmental contaminants, whose potential risk for the ecological environment has caused wide attention in recent years. In China, quite a large amount of PPCPs were annually emitted into the environment. Their existence in different matrix has been reported frequently, including river water, sediment and soil. However, the contribution from different sources was seldom reported and still unclear in China. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was usually considered to be the main source to the urban river, but livestock and aquaculture farms were also reported as significant pollution sources of PPCPs due to poor environmental management in China. This study summarized environmental discharges of different PPCPs from various sources and obtained the discharge data through different environment media in Beijing, the statistical source of PPCPs was analyzed in detail. The sources comprised WWTPs, excess sludge, hospital wastewater, municipal untreated wastewater, aquaculture wastewater and landfill leachate. This article helps understand the general situation and the potential risk of PPCPs in Beijing.

Abstract To assess hepatotoxicity and to determine the underlying mechanisms of carbamazepine (CBZ) toxicity in fish, histopathology and the liver proteome were examined after Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) were exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg/L CBZ for 28 days. Histopathological changes included disruption of spatial structure, pyknotic nuclei, cellular vacuolization and deformation of cell nuclei, in addition to marked swelling of hepatocytes in all treatment groups. Protein analysis revealed that there were gender-specific responses in rare minnow following exposure, and there were 47 proteins in females and 22 proteins in males identified as differentially abundant following CBZ treatments. Pathway analysis revealed that cellular processes affected by CBZ included apoptosis, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and the respiratory chain, indicating impaired energy homeostasis. Noteworthy was that 15 proteins identified as different in abundance were associated with carcinogenicity. Relative mRNA levels for select transcripts were consistent with the changes of proteins N-myc downstream regulated gene (NDRG), Tropomyosin 2-Beta (TPM2) and annexin A4 (ANXA4). Protein pyruvate kinase, liver and RBC (PKLR) were increased at 1 and 100 μg/L CBZ without significant difference in transcript levels. These findings characterize molecular responses and histological changes in the liver that generate new insights into CBZ hepatotoxicity in Chinese rare minnow. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • CBZ induced liver damage in Chinese rare minnows at environmentally relevant concentrations. • Hepatic proteomics revealed a gender-specific response in Chinese rare minnows following CBZ exposure. • The hepatic histopathological damage were observed in male and female fish. • mRNA levels of four genes in a cancer pathway coincided with their protein levels. CBZ induced hepatotoxicity, gender-specific responses of liver proteome, and mRNA levels of genes related to carcinogenicity in livers of Chinese rare minnow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abatement of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), including carbamazepine (CBZ), acetaminophen (ACP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), by zero-valent iron (Fe°) activated peroxydisulfate (PDS) system (Fe°/PDS) in pure water and groundwater was investigated. The removal rates of CBZ, ACP and SMX were 85.4%, 100% and 73.1%, respectively, within 10 min by Fe°/PDS in pure water. SO 4 •− , • OH and O 2 •− were identified in the Fe°/PDS system, and O 2 •− was indicated to play an important role in the ACP degradation. The degradation of PPCPs increased with increasing dosages of Fe° and PDS or with decreasing pH and initial PPCP concentrations. Interestingly, the degradation of PPCPs by Fe°/PDS was significantly enhanced in groundwater compared with that in pure water, which was partially attributed to SO 4 2− and Cl − . The first-order constants of CBZ, ACP and SMX increased from 0.021, 0.242 and 0.013 min− 1 to 0.239, 2.536 and 0.259 min −1 , and to 0.172, 1.516 and 0.197 min −1 , respectively, with increasing the concentrations of SO 4 2− and Cl − to 100 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. This study firstly reports the unexpected enhancement of groundwater matrix on the degradation of micropollutants by Fe°/PDS, demonstrating that Fe°/PDS can be an efficient technology for groundwater remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), consisting of five non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals (N-APs), four sulfonamides (SAs), four tetracyclines (TCs), four macrolides (MCs), and one quinolone (QN) were detected in water, pore water, and sediment samples from Baiyangdian Lake, China. A total of 31 water samples and 29 sediment samples were collected in March 2017. Caffeine was detected with 100% frequency in surface water, pore water, and sediment samples. Carbamazepine was detected with 100% frequency in surface water and sediment samples. Five N-APs were prominent, with mean concentrations of 4.90-266.24 ng/l in surface water and 5.07-14.73 μg/kg in sediment samples. Four MCs were prominent, with mean concentrations of 0.97-29.92 ng/l in pore water samples. The total concentrations of the different classes of PPCPs followed the order: N-APs (53.26%) > MCs (25.39) > SAs (10.06%) > TCs (7.64%) > QNs (3.64%) in surface water; N-APs (42.70%) > MCs (25.43%) > TCs (14.69%) > SAs (13.90%) > QNs (3.24%) in sediment samples, and MCs (42.12%) > N-APs (34.80%) > SAs (11.71%) > TCs (7.48%) > QNs (3.88%) in pore water samples. The geographical differences of PPCP concentrations were largely due to anthropogenic activities. Sewage discharged from Baoding City and human activities around Baiyangdian Lake were the main sources of PPCPs in the lake. An environmental risk assessment for the upper quartile concentration was undertaken using calculated risk quotients and indicated a low or medium-high risk from 18 PPCPs in Baiyangdian Lake and its five upstream rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprises optimisation of sample preparation and HPLC analytical procedure for the determination of a personal care product ingredient, triclosan (TCS), in marine sediments. The testing of several varying pre-treatment parameters confirmed that ultrasonic extraction is an effective method for the isolation of TCS from marine sediments, and that the choice of extraction solvent appeared to be of major importance. The selection of the mobile-phase composition and the absorption wavelength was made for the high-performance liquid chromatography analysis step. Based on the validated method, a preliminary assessment of the benthic ecosystem quality with regards to TCS contamination has been demonstrated in the southern Baltic Sea - a semi-enclosed sea, characterised by poor water exchange, thus particularly susceptible to anthropopression. TCS has been identified and quantified in situ in marine bottom sediments, sediment dwelling isopod - Saduria entomon L. and estimated in silico in pore waters based on the equilibrium partition theory in order to assess the potential exposure and uptake from the aqueous phase. TCS concentrations identified in the bottom sediments of the Gdansk Basin, as the natural habitat for studied S. entomon L., appear to be threatening to the benthic environment. Particularly when considering S. entomon L. as a major nutrition source for cod (Gadus morhua) undergoing the feminisation process, since the recent studies prove TCS to have a potential to induce critical alterations in the endocrine system of marine ichthyofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]