Wastewater Reuse: An Analysis of Sorption Behavior of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the fate and transport of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Through this study we propose to determine sorption behavior of selected pharmaceuticals in pure systems and in soil. This work would contribute to: (1) the development of a system that could effectively and efficiently remove pharmaceuticals and their metabolites from wastewaters and (2) add to the growing body of literature assessing the movement and potential human and ecological exposure to pharmaceuticals present in wastewaters intended for reuse (e.g., irrigation). In this study, I hope to determine the distribution coefficient of the pharmaceuticals to clay minerals, mineral-coated sands, and soil. This is an important part of environmental risk assessment for groundwater protection, and for assessing the availability of these compounds to human or animals. In addition, such studies aid the understanding of potential removal methods of these compounds from wastewater. This study will lead to further studies on persistence, kinetics, constructed systems (including organoclays and mineral-coated clays) and a greater understanding of mechanisms of sorption of these compounds and compound mixtures. The final product would advance the knowledge of risk of wastewater reuse as well as potential user groups (e.g., wastewater treatment plants) on a removal method.