Sources of Pharmaceuticals in Water

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the increasing environmental apprehensions and persistence of numerous organic contaminants so-called emerging contaminants (ECs), including biologically active elements from pharmaceutical source industries. Several types of diverse pharmaceutical-related compounds are being detected in environmental matrices and wastewater treatment units. Owing to this broader occurrence, transformation, and detection of pharmaceutical-related compounds in water matrices, people and legislative authorities are now more concerned about potential sources and ecological consequences of ECs. This is mainly because the free movement of ECs in water matrices is posing noteworthy adverse effects on human, aquatic animals, and naturally occurring plants, even at minimal concentrations. So far, several detection and treatment processes have been proposed and exploited against numerous pharmaceutical-related ECs. The useful and side effects of pharmaceutical-related compounds have been extensively inspected. Owing to this substantial research gap, the sources and environmental persistence of pharmaceutical-related ECs and their direct/indirect adverse effects have now been the topic of intensive studies. From the surface water perspective, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the major source of pharmaceutical-related ECs. The current chapter spotlights the widespread occurrence, numerous sources, and transportation fate of pharmaceutical-related ECs in water matrices.