Stereoisomeric profiling of pharmaceuticals ibuprofen and iopromide in wastewater and river water, China

• Published in: Environmental geochemistry and health Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 683 - 691
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhifang, Huang, Qiuxin, Yu, Yiyi, Wang, Chunwei, Ou, Weihui, Peng, Xianzhi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerobic conditions; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - analysis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; China; Chromatography, Liquid; Contaminants; Contrast Media - analysis; Contrast Media - chemistry; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental impact; Environmental Monitoring; Freshwater; Geochemistry; Ibuprofen - analysis; Ibuprofen - chemistry; Iohexol - analogs & derivatives; Iohexol - analysis; Iohexol - chemistry; Original Paper; Pharmaceuticals; Public Health; Receiving waters; Rivers; Soil Science & Conservation; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Stereoisomerism; Surface water; Terrestrial Pollution; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Water - analysis; Wastewater discharges; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water pollution; Water treatment; China; China, People's Rep., Zhu R; China, People's Rep; Isomer ratio; Wastewater; The Pearl River; Stereoselective degradation; Pharmaceuticals; Enantiomeric fraction
• ISSN: 0269-4042; 1573-2983
• DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9551-x

Stereoisomeric compositions can provide insights into sources, fate, and ecological risks of contaminants in the environment. In this study, stereoisomeric profiles of ibuprofen and iopromide were investigated in wastewater and receiving surface water of the Pearl River Delta, south China. The enantiomeric fraction (EF) of ibuprofen was 0.108–0.188 and 0.480, whereas the isomer ratio (IR) of iopromide was 1.426–1.673 and 1.737–1.898 in the influent and final effluent, respectively, suggesting stereoselective degradation occurred for both pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment. Ibuprofen showed enantioselective degradation in the anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic conditions, whereas iopromide displayed isomer-selective degradation only under the aerobic condition. In the river waters, the EF of ibuprofen was 0.130–0.327 and the IR of iopromide was 1.500–2.531. The results suggested that pharmaceuticals in the mainstream Pearl River were mainly from discharge of treated wastewater, whereas in the tributary rivers and urban canals, direct discharge of untreated wastewater represented a significant contribution. The IR of iopromide can be an applicable and efficient tracer for wastewater discharge in the environment.