Detection status and removal characteristics of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment effluent

This research surveyed influent and effluent concentration of pharmaceuticals at wastewater treatment plants to analyze detection state. On the basis of analysis results, lab experiments were carried out to improve treatment rate and the result was proposed as a water quality control guideline of wastewater treatment plants. According to monthly pharmaceuticals concentration analysis result, antiinflammatory analgesic drug and antibiotics including Acetaminophen, Diclofenac, Sulfamethoxazole, and Trimethoprim were detected in high concentration in the winter while antiepileptics including Carbamazepine were detected similar regardless of season. Existing biological treatment processes removed little of 4 pharmaceuticals except for the acetaminophen so they may be exposed to the surface water. In a lab experience to improve removal rate of pharmaceuticals, the compromise was not effect in removing pharmaceuticals while the ozonation was effective to remove 99% or more of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the activated carbon adsorption process showed high removal efficiency. Therefore, the biological treatment process and combined physicochemical oxidation process of ozone or AOP are effect in removing pharmaceuticals and it is proposed as the base data for water quality control so as to remove micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals at wastewater treatment plants.