An experimental investigation of proxy electrocoagulation process efficiency for COD removal from Azithromycin contaminated aqueous solution

Background and Aims: Pharmaceuticals are considered as emerging environmental pollutants due to their continuous input and persistence in the aquatic ecosystem even at low concentrations. This work focuses on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from Azithromycin contaminated synthetic aqueous solution through proxy electrocoagulation process.Materials and Methods: A batch method was used for removal of Azithromycin from water. The parameters affecting on the proxy electrocoagulation of antibiotics and subsequently COD removal efficiency such as reaction time, concentration of hydrogen peroxide, current density and pH of the solution was investigated.Results: The proxy electrocoagulation process achieved a very high COD removal efficiency (95.6%) with reaction time of 60 min, current density of 20 mA/cm-2 and at pH 3 in the presence of 1.5 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide, producing cleaned water.Conclusion: Although economically should be investigated compared to other methods, the studied process was useful in terms of Azithromycin removal from aqueous solutions.Key words: Wastewater, electrocoagulation, Azithromycin, CO