The Occurrence of Micropollutants in the Aquatic Environment and their Removal Technologies

Pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments are recognized as emerging contaminants due to their potential risks to living organisms. The growing accessibility, widespread use, and disposal of pharmaceuticals have led to a significant increase in their presence within wastewater streams. Due to their persistence and resistance to biodegradation in aquatic environments, these water-soluble and pharmacologically active organic micropollutants often evade conventional wastewater treatment processes, leading to incomplete removal and an escalating global concern. This review examines the classification, occurrence, and associated environmental and health risks of commonly detected pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic systems. Additionally, it provides an overview of advanced treatment methods being developed to implement a fourth purification stage in wastewater treatment plants. Biological, chemical, physical, and hybrid purification technologies are critically reviewed, with a focus on their performance characteristics and potential applications.