Abstract

Nowadays, the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in sewage/wastewater is a major environmental concern. Their precise characterization and suitable treatment/disposal is a must else it pollutes the surface water bodies and causes major distress on aquatic lives and human health. Also, the up-gradation of the sewage/wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a must to consider the removal of these pollutants and to provide the best quality effluent for various reuse purposes. Mostly, the conventional treatment methods are inefficient for their removal, and hence, the most advanced and refined treatment options are needed for their effective treatment. In this chapter, we have highlighted the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in various water samples and their treatment options are reviewed. It was recommended that integrated treatment systems are more efficient, economical, and environmental friendly than single stand-alone treatment. Further advancement and modifications in the treatment options are required to overcome the shortcomings regarding pharmaceutical removal to achieve the legal standard discharge limit.

Highlights

  • Nowadays, the problems associated with the widespread occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment have been recognized as an emerging environmental issue [1–3]

  • It was understood that the problems related to the emerging contaminants and for the pharmaceuticals are of great concern and require specific attention to protecting the environment and public health

  • The challenges associated with their accurate analysis, detection, and extraction due to their low concentration are an important domain for further research

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Summary

Introduction

The problems associated with the widespread occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment have been recognized as an emerging environmental issue [1–3]. The sewage/ wastewater treatment plants are generally not designed to consider the specific pharmaceuticals, emerging compounds, etc., during the treatment. The presence of pharmaceuticals in the effluents of sewage/wastewater treatment plants is very toxic in many ways to the soil and surrounding water bodies [1–5, 21].

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Conclusion

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