Biodegradation of Diclofenac and Paracetamol Present in Wastewater through an Integrated System of Anaerobic Reactor and Constructed Wetland

Miceli Montesinos A Susi, Roja

Abstract

The objective of this work, that belongs to the field of alternative options for drug pollutants degradation, is to design an integrated system of anaerobic reactor and constructed wetland to eliminate paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) and diclofenac (2-[2-(2,6-dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetic acid) residues contained in contaminated waters. The integrated system of anaerobic reactor and constructed wetland consisted of a water tank supplying wastewater to a biodigester through a feed tank, a constructed wetland home to two species of plants Cyperus alternifolius and Typha angustifolia, and a treated water collection tank. The parameters were analyzed pursuant to NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, while diclofenac and paracetamol were analyzed through capillary electrophoresis. The results showed a 90% biodegradation of the organic material in the effluent. In the biodigester, the average biodegradation reaction speed was Kt = 4.9 days-1 ± 0.870; with p˂0.05. The drugs were not detected in the effluent from the wetland, and thus the integrated system of anaerobic reactor and constructed wetland represents an alternative for removing pollutants from municipal wastewaters.