Treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater using advanced oxidation processes

Abstract

There has been a rapid increase in pharmaceutical industries in the past few years. These industries utilize natural water as a raw material in distinct manufacturing processes. The wastewater generated from manufacturing processes contains mainly the concentration of manifold chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, etc. Discharge of these chemicals in the aquatic environment has resulted in water pollution, bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms, death of microorganisms, disruption of nutrient cycling, and an effect over ecosystem functions. Recently, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) such as photocatalysis, Fenton, Sonication and their integrated processes have gained attention for degradation of recalcitrant compounds. Among pharmaceutical compounds, the major concern is towards antibiotics such as amoxicillin (AMX), and β-blocker like Atenolol (ATL).