Seasonal variation of diclofenac concentration and its relation with wastewater characteristics at two municipal wastewater treatment plants in Turkey.
The pharmaceutically active compound diclofenac has been monitored during one year at separate treatment units of two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to evaluate its seasonal variation and the removal efficiency. Conventional wastewater characterization was also performed to assess the possible relationship between conventional parameters and diclofenac. Diclofenac concentrations in the influent and effluent of both WWTPs were detected in the range of 295-1376 and 119-1012ng/L, respectively. Results indicated that the higher diclofenac removal efficiency was observed in summer season in both WWTPs. Although a consistency in diclofenac removal was observed in WWTP_1, significant fluctuation was observed at WWTP_2 based on seasonal evaluation. The main removal mechanism of diclofenac in the WWTPs was most often biological (55%), followed by UV disinfection (27%). When diclofenac removal was evaluated in terms of the treatment units in WWTPs, a significant increase was achieved at the treatment plant including UV disinfection unit. Based on the statistical analysis, higher correlation was observed between diclofenac and suspended solids concentrations among conventional parameters in the influent whereas the removal of diclofenac was highly correlated with nitrogen removal efficiency.
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sevgi
S
Sari
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Gamze
G
Ozdemir
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cigdem
C
Yangin-Gomec
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Gulsum Emel
GE
Zengin
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Emel
E
Topuz
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Egemen
E
Aydin
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
Elif
E
Pehlivanoglu-Mantas
Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: okutmand@itu.edu.tr.
Didem
D
Okutman Tas
D004008:Diclofenac / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D014421:Turkey; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D004008:Diclofenac; D009584:Nitrogen; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Conventional parameters; Micropollutants; Municipal wastewater treatment; Pharmaceutical compound; Priority pollutant