Removal efficiency for emerging contaminants in a WWTP from Madrid (Spain) after secondary and tertiary treatment and environmental impact on the Manzanares River

A year-long study of the occurrence and risk of over 140 contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater influent, effluent and receiving waters in the Republic of Ireland

“…However, it was not detected in receiving waters, perhaps as a result of dilution and/or high wastewater treatment removal efficiency. Regarding the latter, and of most relevance to the urban site here, valsartan has been shown to be efficiently removed in WWTPs in other similarly equipped sites in the EU and often >90 % (Lopez et al, 2022;Styszko et al, 2021) (±826) ng•L −1 for the rural area) but were not in the Top-100 most prescribed list for Ireland. This pharmaceutical is commonly detected in the aquatic environment (Monteagudo et al, 2016), but its main use is in veterinary medicine (Rashid et al, 2008).…”

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of a MIP-polyHIPE for Selective Extraction of Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists Residues in Natural Waters

“…This drug belongs to the class of sartans, an antihypertensive medication with a high production volume and structural similarities, including biphenyl, imidazole, or tetrazole groups. As a member of the class of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and being partially removed in wastewater treatment plants [ 14 ], like other drugs, angiotensin II receptor antagonists or sartans are recognized emerging organic micropollutants, and their environmental diffusion is now under monitoring. However, little attention has been paid to these bioactive substances compared, for instance, to antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs.…”

“…However, little attention has been paid to these bioactive substances compared, for instance, to antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs. As documented in recent research, sartans occurrence in environmental waters ranges from tens ng L −1 up to tens µg L −1 [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. As newly highlighted by risk assessment studies, these concentration levels are responsible for non-negligible hazardous effects, with moderate–high environmental risk assigned to IRB [ 14 ].…”

Sensory-Motor Perturbations in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Induced by Exposure to Low Levels of Neuroactive Micropollutants during Development

“…There is growing evidence highlighting that the increase in consumption of psychoactive, behavior-modifying pharmaceuticals introduces these emerging contaminants to surface waters worldwide. Urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the main emitters of such pollutants into freshwater ecosystems [ 11 , 12 ]. Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and psychostimulants are becoming pervasive micropollutants of urban waters since a majority of existing technologies are inadequate, providing a removal rate of less than 90% for most pharmaceuticals [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”