Ecological filters: a study of the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care compounds and the effect of the contamination in the biofilm

Author(s)

Caroline Moço Erba Pompei

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-08-12

Examining board members

Eny Maria Vieira; Luiz Antonio Daniel; Carlos Alexandre Galinaro; Odete Rocha; Edson Pereira Tangerino

• Advisor: Eny Maria Vieira; Andréa Tucci

Abstract

The contamination of the aquatic environment and even the water consumption with pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) is a result of human activities. Among the water treatment technologies, the ecological filtration (modern name for slow sand filter) is attractive because it is a natural treatment method, low cost and efficiency in removing pathogens and can be used not only in large scale, but also household. The objective of this research was to evaluate the applicability of ecological filters supplied with water from the Lobo Reservoir, and the efficiency in remove pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Furthermore, it was evaluated the effect of contamination in the communities of algae and cyanobacteria and bacteria, in the biofilm of the ecological filters. The ecological filters showed good removal of total coliforms and E. coli. The PPCPs aims of this study were found in the water from the Lobo Reservoir in order of &#956g L-1 of concentration. The personal care products, methylparaben and benzophenone-3, were present in all water samples, and the compounds were found at higher concentration in the reservoir. Two degradation products of the original compounds diclofenac and benzophenone-3 were identified in the water from reservoir. The overall average percentage of removal of PPCPs by ecological filters was 81,09% of paracetamol, 91,07% of diclofenac, 97,33% of naproxen, 99,57% of ibuprofen, 70,81% of methylparaben and 71,69% of benzophenone-3. It was observed an effect caused by contamination in the community of algae and cyanobacteria. Aulacoseira granulata, Chroococcus minutus, Dolichospermum planctonicum and Microcystis aeruginosa were the species of algae and cyanobacteria considered as descriptors in common for all contamination and collection times. Lepocincles sp. was the specie that most contributed in biovolume during the period. The occurrence, abundance and frequency of these species indicate a possible tolerance thereof to PPCPs. The performance of household ecological filters was not affected by the presence of 2 &#956g L-1 of PPCPs in affluent water. The species of bacteria Bacillus anthracis and Exiquobacterium sp. were resistant for the compound applied to the filter 2. The filter biomass concentration increased significantly with filter time and was summarised by an exponential growth function in both filters, but there was no substantial difference between the filter control and contaminated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/21666-1 - Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care (PPCPs) by Ecological Filter
• Grantee: Caroline Moço Erba Pompei
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate