Decomposition of persistent pharmaceuticals in wastewater by ionizing radiation

Pharmaceuticals in wastewater were treated by the combined method of activated sludge and ionizing radiation in laboratory scale. Oseltamivir, aspirin, and ibuprofen at 5 μmol dm−3 in wastewater were decomposed by the activated sludge at reaction time for 4 h. Carbamazepine, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, clofibric acid, and diclofenac were not biodegraded completely, but were eliminated by γ-ray irradiation at 2 kGy. The rate constants of the reactions of these pharmaceuticals with hydroxyl radicals were estimated by the competition reaction method to be 4.0–10×109 mol−1 dm3 s−1. Decompositions of the pharmaceuticals in wastewater by ionizing radiation were simulated by use of the rate constants and the amount of total organic carbon as parameters. Simulation curves of concentrations of these pharmaceuticals as a function of dose described the experimental data, and the required dose for the elimination of them in wastewater by ionizing radiation can be estimated by this simulation.

► We treat pharmaceuticals in wastewater by activated sludge and ionizing radiation.
► Activated sludge decreases the amounts of total organic carbons in wastewater.
► Pharmaceuticals were decomposed by γ-ray irradiation at 2 kGy.
► We construct simulation for treatment of pharmaceuticals by ionizing radiation.