Low-Carbon Technologies to Remove Organic Micropollutants from Wastewater: A Focus on Pharmaceuticals

Thérèse Krahnstöver, Naiara Santos, Karyn Georges, Luiza Campos and Blanca Antizar-Ladislao ()
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Thérèse Krahnstöver: Isle Utilities Ltd., Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HA, UK
Naiara Santos: Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Karyn Georges: Isle Utilities Ltd., Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HA, UK
Luiza Campos: Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Blanca Antizar-Ladislao: Isle Utilities Ltd., Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HA, UK

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-26

Abstract: Pharmaceutical residues are of environmental concern since they are found in several environmental compartments, including surface, ground and waste waters. However, the effect of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems is still under investigation. To date, the removal of these micropollutants by conventional treatment plants is generally ineffective, in addition to producing a considerable carbon footprint. In this sense, to achieve the current zero-pollution ambition, a reduction in the negative impacts of chemical substances such as pharmaceuticals on the environment must be aligned with initiatives such as the European Ecological Compact, Environment Action Programme, and Circular Economy Action Plan, among others. This review provides insight into the key drivers for changing approaches, technologies, and governance of water in Europe (Germany, Switzerland, and the UK), including improving wastewater treatment in sewage treatment plants for the removal of pharmaceuticals and their carbon footprint. In addition, an overview of emerging low-carbon technologies (e.g., constructed wetlands, anaerobic membrane bioreactors, and enzymes) for the removal of pharmaceuticals in sewage treatment works is provided. In general, the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals could be achieved up to ca. 100% in wastewater, with the exception of highly recalcitrant pharmaceuticals such as carbamazepine (removal <60%). These technologies have the potential to help reduce the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment, which can therefore contribute to the achievement of the Europe Union’s objective of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Keywords: carbon neutral; carbamazepine; diclofenac; emerging green treatment technologies; ibuprofen; sulfamethoxazole; wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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