We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Removal of Emerging Contaminants Using Low-Cost and Advanced Treatment Technologies: Evidence from Six Indian Cities
Summary
Researchers monitored pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and microplastics across six major Indian urban-river systems and assessed seasonal dynamics and treatment efficiency at wastewater plants, finding that conventional treatment largely fails to remove these emerging contaminants.
Emerging contaminants (ECs)—including pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics—pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health due to their persistence, bioactivity at trace levels, and resistance to conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study investigates the occurrence, seasonal dynamics, and treatment efficiency of selected ECs across six major Indian urban-river systems: Varanasi (Ganga), Delhi (Yamuna), Indore (Kahn), Kolkata (Hooghly), Nashik (Godavari), and Thiruvananthapuram (Killi River). Water samples were collected during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons from four strategic points in each city, including upstream reference sites and downstream effluent receptors. Quantitative analysis was performed using LC-MS/MS for pharmaceuticals and PFAS, and FTIR spectroscopy for microplastic polymers. Results revealed widespread presence of ciprofloxacin (1.6–3.2 µg/L), diclofenac (0.8–1.6 µg/L), PFOS (92–145 ng/L), and microplastics (145–240 particles/L), with higher loads in densely urbanized areas. Seasonal trends indicated dilution during monsoon and contaminant mobilization post-monsoon. Bench-scale treatment trials using coagulation, UV/H₂O₂, activated carbon adsorption, and nanofiltration showed variable removal efficiencies, with nanofiltration achieving the highest (>90%) across all EC classes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) distinguished high-risk zones based on EC clustering and hydrological influence. The findings underscore the urgent need for EC-inclusive regulatory frameworks, decentralized treatment upgrades, and seasonally adaptive monitoring protocols in India. This study provides a foundational dataset and a scalable methodology for future EC management and policy development.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Emerging pollutant in surface water bodies: a review on monitoring, analysis, mitigation measures and removal technologies of micro-plastics.
This review examined the status of emerging pollutants — including microplastics — in Indian surface water bodies, covering monitoring methods, concentrations, mitigation strategies, and regulatory context. The authors highlight the inadequacy of existing water quality monitoring systems in India for capturing these new pollutant classes.
Emerging Contaminants in Water: Detection, Treatment, and Regulation
This review covers emerging contaminants in water — including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals — discussing detection methods, treatment technologies, and regulatory frameworks. The authors highlight major gaps in current water quality standards and the need for updated regulations to address these newer pollutants.
Understanding emerging contaminants in water and wastewater: A comprehensive review on detection, impacts, and solutions
This review covers emerging contaminants in water including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics, and nanomaterials that escape conventional water treatment and persist in the environment. It evaluates advanced detection techniques and newer treatment methods such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, and bioremediation to address these pollutants that pose ongoing risks to public health.
Emerging Pollutants in Aquatic Environment: Critical Risk Assessment and Treatment Options
This review provided a critical risk assessment and treatment approaches for emerging pollutants in aquatic environments, including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and personal care products, evaluating removal efficiency across treatment technologies.
Emerging pollutants in waste water: Challenges and advancements in treatment technology
This review examines the challenges of removing emerging pollutants like microplastics, PFAS, and pharmaceutical residues from wastewater using conventional treatment methods. Researchers found that traditional approaches such as activated sludge and coagulation are often insufficient, while advanced oxidation processes, adsorption-based methods, and novel biological treatments show more promise. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable, energy-efficient solutions and stronger regulatory frameworks to protect water resources.