Removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater by electrochemical oxidation using cylindrical flow reactor and optimization of treatment conditions

Degradation of pharmaceuticals and other emerging pollutants employing bi-metal catalysts/magnesium and/or (green) hydrogen in aqueous solution

Contaminations by pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other emerging pollutants in water resources have become a seriously burgeoning issue of global concern in the first third of the twenty-first century. As societal reliance on pharmaceuticals continues to escalate, the inadvertent introduction of these substances into water reservoirs poses a consequential environmental threat. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate reductive degradation, particularly, catalytic hydrogenation regarding model pollutants such as diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), or bisphenol-A (BPA), respectively,  in aqueous solutions at lab scale. Iron bimetals (zero valent iron, ZVI, and copper, Cu, or nickel, Ni) as well as zero valent magnesium (Mg, ZVM) in combination with  rhodium, Rh, or palladium, Pd, as hydrogenation catalysts (HK), were investigated. Studies were executed through various short-term batch experiments, with multiple sample collections, over a total range of 120 min. The results indicated that DCF was attenuated at over 90 % when exposed to Fe-Cu or a Fe-Ni bimetal (applied as a single model pollutant). However, when DCF was part of a mixture alongside with IBP, EE2, and BPA, the attenuation efficacy decreased to 79 % with Fe-Cu and 23 % with Fe-Ni. Conversely, both IBP and BPA exhibit notably low attenuation levels with both bimetals, less than 50 %, both deployed as single substances or in mixtures. No reaction (degradation) products could be identified employing LC-MS, but sometimes a release of the parent pollutant when applying an acetic acid buffer could be noted to a certain extent, suggesting adsorption processes on corrosion products such as iron hydroxide and/or oxides. Surprisingly, Mg in combination with Rh (Rh-HK) or Pd (Pd-HK) showed a significantly rapid decrease in the concentrations of DCF, EE2, and BPA, in part up to approximately 100 %, that is, within a few minutes only in part due to hydrogenation degradation reactions (related reaction products could actually be identified by LC-MS; adsorption processes were not observed here). Moreover, kinetic modeling of the DCF degradation with Mg-Rh-HK was conducted at different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C) and varied initial concentrations (2.5 mg/L, 5.0 mg/L, 7.5 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L). The outcomes prove that the degradation of DCF at the Rh-HK's surface followed a modified first-order kinetics, most probably by catalytic hydrodehalogenation and subsequent hydrogenation of the aromatic moieties (molecular hydrogen was provided by the corrosion of Mg). From the determined reaction rate constants at four different temperatures, the activation energy was estimated to be 59.6 kJ/mol by means of the Arrhenius equation what is in good agreement with similar results reported in the literature. This coupled hydrodehalogenation and hydrogenation approach may be upscaled into a new promising technical process for comprehensively removing such pharmaceuticals and similar pollutants in sewage plants in a single step, furthermore, even in combination with adsorption by activated carbon and/or ozonation which have already been established at some sewage plants in Switzerland and Germany recently.

Electrooxidation of amoxicillin in aqueous solution with graphite electrodes: Optimization of degradation and deciphering of byproducts using HRMS

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as antibiotics have become a matter of worry in aquatic environments worldwide. Their presence in the environment has been increasing due to the inability of conventional wastewater and water treatments to annihilate them. Hence, attempts have been made to remove CECs using electrochemical oxidation (EO). Present study employed the low cost, active carbon based graphite sheet electrodes as anode and cathode to oxidize and degrade Amoxicillin (AMOX)- a β-lactum thiazolidine antibiotic. Optimization studies found pH 9, 45 mA cm-2, 81 cm2 electrode surface area, 6 mM electrolyte concentration and 60 min treatment time to be optimal for AMOX removal. Studies with varying concentrations of AMOX (20 mg L-1, 30 mg L-1 and 40 mg L-1) found that increase in concentrations of AMOX require higher current densities and treatment time for better TOC removal. High performance liquid chromatography photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) studies found 94% removal for 40 mg L-1 of AMOX at optimal conditions with 90% COD and 46% TOC removal. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) studies using Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-ToF-MS) identified major degradation mechanisms to be hydroxylation, β-lactum ring cleavage, breakage of thiazolidine ring chain from the aromatic ring and piperazinyl ring formation. The final byproducts of AMOX oxidation were carboxylic acids.

Sustainable application of electrocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic oxidation systems for water and wastewater treatment: a review

Wastewater treatment and reuse have risen as a solution to the water crisis plaguing the world. Global warming-induced climate change, population explosion and fast depletion of groundwater resources are going to exacerbate the present global water problems for the forthcoming future. In this scenario, advanced electrochemical oxidation process (EAOP) utilising electrocatalytic (EC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technologies have caught hold of the interest of the scientific community. The interest stems from the global water management plans to scale down centralised water and wastewater treatment systems to decentralised and semicentralised treatment systems for better usage efficiency and less resource wastage. In an age of rising water pollution caused by contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), EC and PEC systems were found to be capable of optimal mineralisation of these pollutants rendering them environmentally benign. The present review treads into the conventional electrochemical treatment systems to identify their drawbacks and analyses the scope of the EC and PEC to mitigate them. Probable electrode materials, potential catalysts and optimal operational conditions for such applications were also examined. The review also discusses the possible retrospective application of EC and PEC as point-of-use and point-of-entry treatment systems during the transition from conventional centralised systems to decentralised and semi-centralised water and wastewater treatment systems.

Electrodegradation of cyclophosphamide in artificial urine by combined methods

The degradation of the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide in artificial urine was evaluated by Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOP). The system consisted of an electrochemical flow reactor with a commercial DSA^® electrode (nominal composition Ti / Ru_0,3Ti_0,7O₂) and Ti-mesh cathode. In order to assess the best parameters, the effect of current density, time and flow rate were analyzed using an initial 2³ factorial design. The chosen response variable was the energy efficiency to produce free chlorine species (HClO/ClO^-). After obtaining the most significant factors, the Central Composite Design (CCD) was performed, where the optimum conditions were determined for the current density range (11.714 mA cm^-2 and 66.57 mA cm^-2), flow rate (31.33 mL min^-1) and time range (19 and 37 min). Under an optimized condition, the efficiency of other combined methods (photo-assisted electrochemical, photochemical, sonoelectrochemical and photo-assisted sonoelectrochemical) was evaluated. The efficiency of degradation processes was determined by removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), creatinine and urea. Analysis by HPLC demonstrates that the cyclophosphamide was substantially removed during the treatment process of ∼77%. Based on these results, it can be observed that the coupling between electrochemical and photochemical processes is a promising alternative for the treatment of this effluent, as a marked reduction of organic matter is observed (63, 94% of creatinine, 29.62% of urea, 39.1% of TOC) and a low treatment cost ratio.

Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in the electrochemical oxidation of polluted waters with pharmaceuticals used against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a huge impact on our lives, increasing the consumption of certain pharmaceuticals, and with this, contributing to the intensification of their presence in wastewater and in the environment. This situation demands the implementation of efficient remediation technologies, among them, electrochemical oxidation (ELOX) is one the most applied. This work studies the application of ELOX with the aim of eliminate pharmaceuticals used in the fight against COVID-19, assessing its degradation rate, as well as the risk of formation of toxic trace by-products, such as unintentional POPs like polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). To this end, model solutions containing 10 mg L^-1 of dexamethasone (DEX), paracetamol (PAR), amoxicillin (AMX), and sertraline (STR) with two different electrolytes (NaCl and Na₂SO₄) have been evaluated. However, electrochemical systems that contain chloride ions in solution together with PCDD/Fs precursor molecules may lead to the formation of these highly toxic by-products. So, PCDD/Fs were quantified under conditions of complete degradation of the drugs. Furthermore, the presence of PCDD/Fs precursors such as chlorophenols was determined, as well as the role of Cl^-, Cl^• and SO 4 • - radicals in the formation of the by-products and PCDD/Fs. The maximum measured concentration of PCDD/Fs was around 2700 pg L^-1 for the amoxicillin case in NaCl medium. The obtained results emphasise the importance of not underestimating the potential formation of these highly toxic trace by-products, in addition to the correct selection of oxidation processes and operation variables, in order to avoid final higher toxicity in the medium.

Iron Phosphide Precatalyst for Electrocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye and Removal of Escherichia coli from Simulated Wastewater

Electrocatalysis using low-cost materials is a promising, economical strategy for remediation of water contaminated with organic chemicals and microorganisms. Here, we report the use of iron phosphide (Fe2P) precatalyst for electrocatalytic water oxidation; degradation of a representative aromatic hydrocarbon, the dye rhodamine B (RhB); and inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It was found that during anodic oxidation, the Fe2P phase was converted to iron phosphate phase (Fe2P-iron phosphate). This is the first report that Fe2P precatalyst can efficiently catalyze electrooxidation of an organic molecule and inactivate microorganisms in aqueous media. Using a thin film of Fe2P precatalyst, we achieved 98% RhB degradation efficiency and 100% E. coli inactivation under an applied bias of 2.0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode in the presence of in situ generated reactive chlorine species. Recycling test revealed that Fe2P precatalyst exhibits excellent activity and reproducibility during degradation of RhB. High-performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis detection further confirmed the electrocatalytic (EC) degradation of the dye. Finally, in tests using Lepidium sativum L., EC-treated RhB solutions showed significantly diminished phytotoxicity when compared to untreated RhB. These findings suggest that Fe2P-iron phosphate electrocatalyst could be an effective water remediation agent.

Application of lead oxide electrodes in wastewater treatment: A review

Electrochemical oxidation (EO) based on hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated on lead dioxide has become a typical advanced oxidation process (AOP). Titanium-based lead dioxide electrodes (PbO₂/Ti) play an increasingly important role in EO. To further improve the efficiency, the structure and properties of the lead dioxide active surface layer can be modified by doping transition metals, rare earth metals, nonmetals, etc. Here, we compare the common preparation methods of lead dioxide. The EO performance of lead dioxide in wastewater containing dyes, pesticides, drugs, landfill leachate, coal, petrochemicals, etc., is discussed along with their suitable operating conditions. Finally, the factors influencing the contaminant removal kinetics on lead dioxide are systematically analysed.

Occurrence, Fate, Effects, and Risks of Dexamethasone: Ecological Implications Post-COVID-19

The recent outbreak of respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has led to the widespread use of therapeutics, including dexamethasone (DEXA). DEXA, a synthetic glucocorticoid, is among the widely administered drugs used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The global COVID-19 surge in infections, consequent increasing hospitalizations, and other DEXA applications have raised concerns on eminent adverse ecological implications to aquatic ecosystems. Here, we aim to summarize published studies on DEXA occurrence, fate, and effects on organisms in natural and engineered systems as, pre-COVID, the drug has been identified as an emerging environmental contaminant. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of DEXA in wastewater treatment plants, with a small portion, including its transformation products (TPs), being released into downstream waters. Fish and crustaceans are the most susceptible species to DEXA exposure in the parts-per-billion range, suggesting potential deleterious ecological effects. However, there are data deficits on the implications of DEXA to marine and estuarine systems and wildlife. To improve DEXA management, toxicological outcomes of DEXA and formed TPs should entail long-term studies from whole organisms to molecular effects in actual environmental matrices and at realistic exposure concentrations. This can aid in striking a fine balance of saving human lives and protecting ecological integrity.

Mechanistic insight into ultrasound-induced enhancement of electrochemical oxidation of ofloxacin: Multi-response optimization and cost analysis

In this paper, a hybrid advanced oxidation process of sonoelectrochemical, in which ultrasound and electrochemical are applied simultaneously, has been used for the degradation of ofloxacin (bio-recalcitrant pharmaceutical pollutant). Response surface methodology based central composite design was applied to understand the parametric effects of ultrasonic power, current density, initial pH, and electrolyte dose. Enhanced ofloxacin degradation was obtained using sonoelectrochemical (≈95%) process in comparison to the electrochemical (≈60.6%) and sonolysis alone (≈7.2%) after 120 min treatment time. Multi-response optimization was used so as to maximize COD removal (70.12%) and minimize specific energy consumption (11.92 kWh (g COD removed)^-1)at the optimized parametric condition of pH = 6.3 (natural pH), ultrasonic power = 54 W, current density = 213 A m^-2, and Na₂SO₄ electrolyte dose = 2.0 g L^-1. It was revealed that ^•OH radicals contribute major to the ofloxacin degradation reaction among the other oxidizing agents. Degradation of the ofloxacin followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a higher reaction rate, which confirmed the synergistic effect of 34% between ultrasound and electrochemical approaches. The degradation pathway of ofloxacin removal was elucidated at optimum condition by the temporal evolution of the intermediate compounds and final products using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersed X-ray (EDX) were used to determine the morphology of electrodes. Operational cost analysis was done based on the reactor employed in the present study.

Characterization of a tubular electrochemical reactor for the degradation of the commercial diuron herbicide

After designing and constructing an electrochemical reactor with concentric electrodes and tangential feed (RECT), it is necessary to characterize it and to study its performance. The experimental study of the residence time distribution (RTD) was conducted for flow rates of 2.78 × 10^-6 m³ s^-1, 8.33 × 10^-6 m³ s^-1 and 13.9 × 10^-6 m³ s^-1. According to the values obtained from the Pe number (0.67-1.52), the RECT fits as tubular with great dispersion. The determined empirical correlation (Sh = 18.16 Re^0.50 Sc^0.33) showed a laminar flow behavior in the range of Reynolds number (Re) between 23 and 117. In order to use RECT in effluent treatment, an electrochemical oxidation study of the Diuron model molecule (Nortox^®) was performed to analyze reactor performance in a closed system with total reflux. A decay kinetics of pseudo-first order was associated with the decay of the concentration of diuron and 30% mineralization in 180 min of process were obtained, having a total volume of 4 × 10^-3 m³ and an initial concentration of commercial Diuron in 215.83 mg dm^-3. Eleven by-products were identified by HPLC-MS analysis and, from this, it was possible to propose a route of degradation of the diuron. From these observations, it can be inferred that the studied electrochemical reactor had applicability in the degradation of recalcitrant compounds, as is the case of commercial diuron. Make some changes in the electrochemical reactor studied and other advanced oxidative processes, such as electro-Fenton, can be associated with the studied system to achieve a better conversion efficiency.

Electro-oxidation of amoxicillin trihydrate in continuous reactor by Ti/RuO2 anode

Electro-oxidation (EO) of synthetic wastewater containing amoxicillin (AMT) antibiotic as a model pollutant was performed using dimensionally stable Ti/RuO₂ electrodes in a continuous reactor set-up. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimization of continuous EO process. Individual and interactive effects of initial pH of synthetic wastewater (2-10), applied current, I (0.25-1.25 A), elapsed time, t (20-180 min) and retention time, R_T (15-195 min) on AMT removal, total organic carbon (TOC) removal and specific energy consumption (SEC, kWh (g TOC removed)^-1) were investigated. At optimum conditions (pH = 7.53, I = 0.7 A, R_T = 175.6 min, t = 128.89 min), 51.64% and 37.82% AMT and TOC removal was achieved, with SEC value of 0.408 kWh (g TOC removed)^-1. AMT and TOC removal at optimum conditions was found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics. Mineralization current efficiency for optimum run of continuous EO came out to be 9.81%. Furthermore, 8 transformation products/reaction intermediates of AMT (ARIs) were determined by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, and subsequently, a plausible degradation scheme of AMT by anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction using Ti/RuO₂ electrodes was proposed.

Membrane bioreactors and electrochemical processes for treatment of wastewaters containing heavy metal ions, organics, micropollutants and dyes: Recent developments

Research and development activities on standalone systems of membrane bioreactors and electrochemical reactors for wastewater treatment have been intensified recently. However, several challenges are still being faced during the operation of these reactors. The current challenges associated with the operation of standalone MBR and electrochemical reactors include: membrane fouling in MBR, set-backs from operational errors and conditions, energy consumption in electrochemical systems, high cost requirement, and the need for simplified models. The advantage of this review is to present the most critical challenges and opportunities. These challenges have necessitated the design of MBR derivatives such as anaerobic MBR (AnMBR), osmotic MBR (OMBR), biofilm MBR (BF-MBR), membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), and magnetically-enhanced systems. Likewise, electrochemical reactors with different configurations such as parallel, cylindrical, rotating impeller-electrode, packed bed, and moving particle configurations have emerged. One of the most effective approaches towards reducing energy consumption and membrane fouling rate is the integration of MBR with low-voltage electrochemical processes in an electrically-enhanced membrane bioreactor (eMBR). Meanwhile, research on eMBR modeling and sludge reuse is limited. Future trends should focus on novel/fresh concepts such as electrically-enhanced AnMBRs, electrically-enhanced OMBRs, and coupled systems with microbial fuel cells to further improve energy efficiency and effluent quality.

Insight into the characteristics, removal, and toxicity of effluent organic matter from a pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plant during catalytic ozonation

Changes in the characteristics, removal efficiency, and toxicity of pharmaceutical effluent organic matter (EfOM) after catalytic ozonation were investigated in this study. After a 90-min treatment with a catalytic ozonation process (COP) in the presence of MnO₂ ceramsite, the total organic carbon (TOC), UV₂₅₄, colority, protein, and humic acid removal rates were 13.24%, 60.83%, 85.42%, 29.36% and 74.19%, respectively. The polysaccharide content increased by 12.73 mg/L during the COP for reaction times between 0 and ~50 min and decreased by 6.97 mg/L between 50 and ~90 min. Furthermore, 64.44% of the total colority was detected in the hydrophobic organic matter (HOM) fraction, and after the COP, and 88.69% of the colority in the HOM was eliminated. Meanwhile, only 59.18% of the colority in the hydrophilic organic matter (HIM) fraction was removed. GC-MS analysis showed that 38 organic pollutant species were completely removed, 8 were partially removed, and 7 were generated. After 90 min of COP treatment, the pharmaceutical EfOM toxicity was effectively reduced based on the higher incubation and lower mortality rates.

Electro-oxidation of Ofloxacin antibiotic by dimensionally stable Ti/RuO2 anode: Evaluation and mechanistic approach

Present study investigates the potential of Ti/RuO₂ electrode for degradation and mineralization of Ofloxacin (OFLX) antibiotic from synthetic wastewater by electro-oxidation (EO) method, not reported earlier. Effects of various EO parameters such as applied current (I), initial pH, initial OFLX concentration (C₀) and supporting electrolyte concentration on %OFLX removal efficiency and %TOC removal efficiency were systematically studied and reported. Decay kinetics of OFLX by varying C₀ and applied I were also studied. Additionally, mineralization current efficiency and specific energy consumption of OFLX mineralization were evaluated. Moreover, mode of oxidation method involved (direct and/or indirect oxidation) was also explored. Major OFLX transformation products during EO were identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and possible degradation reaction mechanism was proposed. Furthermore, operating cost analysis was performed to check the economic feasibility of the EO process. The optimum pH and current (I) were found to be ≈6.8 (natural pH of OFLX wastewater) and 1 A, respectively. Mineralization current efficiency decreased from 7.8% to 4.9% with increase in I value from 0.25 to 1 A. ≈80% of OFLX removal in 30 min of electrolysis and 46.3% TOC removal in 240 min of electrolysis at I = 1 A were observed. Pseudo-first-order kinetic model best fitted the experimental data showing R² value ≈ 0.99 for all the C_o and applied I studied.

Mineralization of pyrrole, a recalcitrant heterocyclic compound, by electrochemical method: Multi-response optimization and degradation mechanism

In this study, the electrochemical (EC) oxidation of a recalcitrant heterocyclic compound namely pyrrole has been reported using platinum coated titanium (Pt/Ti) electrodes. Response surface methodology (RSM) comprising of full factorial central composite design (CCD) with four factors and five levels has been used to examine the effects of different operating parameters such as current density (j), aqueous solution pH, conductivity (k) and treatment time (t) in an EC batch reactor. Pyrrole mineralization in aqueous solution was examined with multiple responses such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) (response, Y₁) and specific energy consumption (SEC) in kWh/kg of COD removed (response, Y₂). During multiple response optimization, the desirability function approach was employed to concurrently maximize Y₁ and minimize Y₂. At the optimum condition, 82.9% COD removal and 7.7 kWh/kg of COD removed were observed. Degradation mechanism of pyrrole in wastewater was elucidated at the optimum condition of treatment by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), ion chromatography (IC), higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The degradation pathway of pyrrole was proposed on the basis of the various analysis.

Electrochemical Transformation of Trace Organic Contaminants in Latrine Wastewater

Solar-powered electrochemical systems have shown promise for onsite wastewater treatment in regions where basic infrastructure for conventional wastewater treatment is not available. To assess the applicability of these systems for trace organic contaminant treatment, test compound electrolysis rate constants were measured in authentic latrine wastewater using mixed-metal oxide anodes coupled with stainless steel cathodes. Complete removal of ranitidine and cimetidine was achieved within 30 min of electrolysis at an applied potential of 3.5 V (0.7 A L(-1)). Removal of acetaminophen, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, propranolol, and carbamazepine (>80%) was achieved within 3 h of electrolysis. Oxidation of ranitidine, cimetidine, and ciprofloxacin was primarily attributed to reaction with NH2Cl. Transformation of trimethoprim, propranolol, and carbamazepine was attributed to direct electron transfer and to reactions with surface-bound reactive chlorine species. Relative contributions of aqueous phase ·OH, ·Cl, ·Cl2(-), HOCl/OCl(-), and Cl2 were determined to be negligible based on measured second-order reaction rate constants, probe compound reaction rates, and experiments in buffered Cl(-) solutions. Electrical energy per order of removal (EEO) increased with increasing applied potentials and current densities. Test compound removal was most efficient at elevated Cl(-) concentrations present when treated wastewater is recycled for use as flushing water (i.e., ∼ 75 mM Cl(-); EEO = 0.2-6.9 kWh log(-1) m(-3)). Identified halogenated and oxygenated electrolysis products typically underwent further transformations to unidentifiable products within the 3 h treatment cycle. Identifiable halogenated byproduct formation and accumulation was minimized during electrolysis of wastewater containing 75 mM Cl(-).

Advanced treatment of cephalosporin pharmaceutical wastewater by nano-coated electrode and perforated electrode

The objective of this study was to investigate the degradation of nonbiodegradable organic pollutants in biologically cephalosporin pharmaceutical wastewater using different electrodes such as non-nano-scale electrode (traditional coated), nano-scale (nano-coated) electrode, and perforated electrode after biotreatment. The traditional coated electrode plate, nano-coated electrode plate, and two different perforated titanium dioxide (TiO2) electrode plates with an average pore size of 10 μm and 20 μm were chosen as the anode. The results demonstrated that traditional coated electrode, nano-scale electrode, and perforated electrode could effectively remove nonbiodegradable organic pollutants from pharmaceutical wastewater. The perforated electrode with an average pore size of 10 μm exhibited the best degradation effect with a 90 % decrease in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) (COD content reduced from 320 mg L(-1) to 32 mg L(-1)). During catalytic degradation, the electrical conductivity of pharmaceutical wastewater increased and the pH increased and finally reached equilibrium. It was also found that the perforated TiO2 electrode produced relatively large amounts of dissolved oxygen during the catalytic oxidation process, reaching above 4 mg L(-1), whereas the nano-coated electrode produced little dissolved oxygen. The biotoxicities of all wastewater samples increased firstly then decreased slightly during the electrical catalytic oxidation, but the final biotoxicities were all higher than initial ones.

Remediation of water pollution caused by pharmaceutical residues based on electrochemical separation and degradation technologies: a review

In the last years, the decontamination and disinfection of waters by means of direct or integrated electrochemical processes are being considered as a very appealing alternative due to the significant improvement of the electrode materials and the coupling with low-cost renewable energy sources. Many electrochemical technologies are currently available for the remediation of waters contaminated by refractory organic pollutants such as pharmaceutical micropollutants, whose presence in the environment has become a matter of major concern. Recent reviews have focused on the removal of pharmaceutical residues upon the application of other important methods like ozonation and advanced oxidation processes. Here, we present an overview on the electrochemical methods devised for the treatment of pharmaceutical residues from both, synthetic solutions and real pharmaceutical wastewaters. Electrochemical separation technologies such as membrane technologies, electrocoagulation and internal micro-electrolysis, which only isolate the pollutants from water, are firstly introduced. The fundamentals and experimental set-ups involved in technologies that allow the degradation of pharmaceuticals, like anodic oxidation, electro-oxidation with active chlorine, electro-Fenton, photoelectro-Fenton and photoelectrocatalysis among others, are further discussed. Progress on the promising solar photoelectro-Fenton process devised and further developed in our laboratory is especially highlighted and documented. The abatement of total organic carbon or reduction of chemical oxygen demand from contaminated waters allows the comparison between the different methods and materials. The routes for the degradation of the some pharmaceuticals are also presented.