Performance of a University Wastewater Treatment Plant (UASB–CBR–Ozonation) in the Removal of Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium and Metoprolol from Domestic Sewage
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Abstract
The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) at trace concentrations (µg to ng/L) is a challenge for WWTPs not designed for their removal and, therefore, not controlled by Brazilian water law. In this study, the efficiency of a UASB reactor, cyclic biological reactor (CBR) and ozonation, analysed over six sampling campaigns at four measuring points of UNISINOS WWTP (Sao Leopoldo, RS, Brazil), was evaluated for the reduction of Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium and Metoprolol and also for chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), pH and residual ozone. The results from the two analytical methods (UV254 absorbance and liquid chromatography) were compared for monitoring micropollutants. The mean COD removal was above 75%, and the plant complied with Res. 355/2017 from CONSEMA for the COD and pH parameters. Ibuprofen levels in raw sewage ranged from 21.10 to 950.66 ng/L, with an Efficiency of 51.43% in the UASB reactor and 65.03% in ozonation. Diclofenac Sodium was present from 24.58 to 4,464.99 ng/L and showed high persistence in the UASB (4.83%), increasing by 35.47% after ozonation. Only one sample contained metoprolol. The removal of pharmaceuticals was correlated with organic-load reduction (high negative Diclofenac-TOC correlation) and the removal of ibuprofen might be indicated indirectly by UV254, but not the removal of diclofenac. The results suggest that biological treatment would be more effective for PFBs than for persistent compounds, stressing the importance of optimizing ozone dosage and maintaining continuous monitoring in university-scale WWTPs.
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