Mechanisms of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Removal in Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment

Algae-based wastewater treatment is a form of passive wastewater treatment used to treat municipal and agricultural wastewaters. While pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) treatment has been observed, the removal mechanisms in these systems are poorly understood. In this study, lab-scale algal bioreactors were used to simulate algae-based wastewater treatment. Concentrations of carbamazepine, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, and triclosan were monitored in these reactors alongside controls designed to isolate and elucidate removal processes. Ibuprofen was primarily treated by biotransformation, which was dependent on interactions of algae with the bacteria and media. Triclosan was rapidly phototransformed, though there was evidence of biodegradation or sorption. There was no evidence of carbamazepine and gemfibrozil treatment in algae-based wastewater systems. Based on the results of these experiments, algae can facilitate PPCP removal in passive water treatment systems. Further research on PPCP removal in these systems should be focused on the interactions between bacteria, algae, and media.M.A.S