Removal of anti-inflammatory compounds by ecological filtration

Abstract

The use of the slow sand filtration, better known as ecological filter was tested to removal of anti-inflammatory compounds from water, (i.e. Diclofenac, Naproxen and Ibuprofen). The treatment system consisted of pre-filtration followed by ecological sand filter and the mixture of the three different compounds was added the afluent of the ecological filter. The filtration system operated during dry season (June-November 2012) in Brazil. The pharmaceutical compounds were determined by SPE (solid phase extraction) followed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). In addition, turbidity, apparent color, true color, total and thermotolerant and coliforms were measured to further evaluate the water quality. The ecological sand filters showed to be an efficient process to remove Diclofenac, Naproxen and Ibuprofen in this study.