Enhanced biodegradation of carbamazepine after UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Jun 5;46(11):6222-7. doi: 10.1021/es300897u. Epub 2012 May 17.

Abstract

Carbamazepine is one of the most persistent pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater effluents due to its resistance to biodegradation-based conventional treatment. Advanced oxidation can efficiently degrade carbamazepine, but the toxicity and persistence of the oxidation products may be more relevant than the parent. This study sets out to determine whether the products of advanced oxidation of carbamazepine can be biotransformed and ultimately mineralized by developing a novel methodology to assess these sequential treatment processes. The methodology traces the transformation products of the (14)C-labeled carbamazepine during UV/hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation and subsequent biotransformation by mixed, undefined cultures using liquid scintillation counting and liquid chromatography with radioactivity, mass spectrometry, and UV detectors. The results show that the oxidation byproducts of carbamazepine containing a hydroxyl or carbonyl group can be fully mineralized by a mixed bacterial inoculum. A tertiary treatment approach that includes oxidation and biotransformation has the potential to synergistically mineralize persistent pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater treatment plant effluents. The methodology developed for this study can be applied to assess the mineralization potential of other persistent organic contaminants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental / drug effects
  • Biodegradation, Environmental / radiation effects
  • Biotransformation / drug effects
  • Biotransformation / radiation effects
  • Carbamazepine / chemistry
  • Carbamazepine / metabolism*
  • Carbamazepine / radiation effects*
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Oxidation-Reduction / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Carbamazepine
  • Hydrogen Peroxide