This study describes a procedure for determining eight benzophenone-derived compounds in surface waters and sediments. These include the pharmaceutical ketoprofen, its phototransformation products 3-ethylbenzophenone and 3-acetylbenzophenone, and five benzophenone-type UV filters. The proposed analytical method involves the pre-concentration of water samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of sediment samples followed by derivatization and analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Different parameters were investigated to achieve optimal method performance. Recoveries of 91 to 96 % from water samples were obtained using HLB Oasis SPE cartridges, while MAE of sediments (30 min at 150 °C) gave recoveries of 80 to 99 %. Limits of detection were between 0.1 to 1.9 ng L-1 for water samples and from 0.1 to 1.4 ng g-1 for sediment samples. The developed method was applied to environmental samples and revealed the presence of UV filters in the majority of the surface waters with up to 685 ng L-1 of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone. In contrast, ketoprofen (≤ 2856 ng L-1) and its degradation products (≤ 315 ng L-1) were found in only two rivers, both receiving wastewater treatment plant effluents. Sediment analysis revealed benzophenone to be present in concentrations up to 649 ng g-1, while concentrations of other compounds were considerably lower (≤ 32 ng L-1). For the first time, quantifiable amounts of two ketoprofen transformation products in the aqueous environment are reported.
COBISS.SI-ID: 27612455
Ozone (O3) has been used successfully in advanced wastewater treatment in paper mills, other sectors and municipalities. To solve the water problems of regions lacking fresh water, wastewater treated by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can substitute fresh water in highly water consuming industries. Results of this study have shown that paper strength properties are not impaired and whiteness is slightly impaired only when reusing paper mill wastewater. Furthermore,organic trace compounds are becoming an issue in the German paper industry. The results of this study have shown that AOPs are capable of improving wastewater quality by reducing organic load, colour and organic trace compounds.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4640107
Paper evaluates hydrodynamic cavitation as a method for wastewater treatment. In collaboration with Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Faculty for Civil Engineering, University of Ljubljana we evaluated the efficiency of hydrodynamic cavitation for removing micropollutants, e.g. pharmaceutical residues, from wastewaters.
COBISS.SI-ID: 27217959