Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa
This study aims to investigate the occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of Vhembe and Mopane District Municipalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 48 samples were collected at the inlet and outlet of the selected wastewater treatment plants...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402417555X |
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| author | E.P. Munzhelele W.B. Ayinde W.M. Gitari G.K. Pindihama R. Mudzielwana |
| author_facet | E.P. Munzhelele W.B. Ayinde W.M. Gitari G.K. Pindihama R. Mudzielwana |
| author_sort | E.P. Munzhelele |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to investigate the occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of Vhembe and Mopane District Municipalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 48 samples were collected at the inlet and outlet of the selected wastewater treatment plants during April, July, and October 2023. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen of the influent and effluent were determined in the field, while total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The LC-20 prominence High-pressure liquid chromatography with a Photo-diode Array (PDA) detector was employed to quantify and profile the targeted pharmaceutical compounds. Levonorgestrel and efavirenz were analyzed using the gradient elution method, while the isocratic method was applied to analyze diclofenac and ibuprofen. The obtained results showed that the concentration ranges for ibuprofen were <LOD-114.00 μg/L (influent) and <LOD-59.9 μg/L (effluent), levonorgestrel: 6.2–8.09 μg/L (influent) and 4.25–20.9 μg/L (effluent), diclofenac: 2.21–25.00 μg/L (influent) and 0.36–5 μg/L (effluent), and efavirenz: 3.81–11.9 μg/L (influent) and 0.69–6.3 μg/L (effluent). The presence of these pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater, particularly in effluent, requires attention as they may pose significant ecological threats in the receiving water bodies. Therefore, this study recommends the development of efficient wastewater treatment technologies targeting pharmaceutical compounds and further routine monitoring of these compounds in surface water resources, as well as understanding their fate and effects in aquatic organisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-150ddbfe5e3b4c18bcd73013f055f1c0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj-art-150ddbfe5e3b4c18bcd73013f055f1c02025-02-02T05:27:49ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01112e41524Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South AfricaE.P. Munzhelele0W.B. Ayinde1W.M. Gitari2G.K. Pindihama3R. Mudzielwana4Environmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa; Corresponding author.Environmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa; Water Research Group, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Upper Campus, University of Cape Town. Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South AfricaEnvironmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa; School of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Technical University of Kenya, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi, P.O. Box 52428 - 00200, Nairobi- Kenya, South AfricaEnvironmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South AfricaEnvironmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa; Corresponding author.This study aims to investigate the occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of Vhembe and Mopane District Municipalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 48 samples were collected at the inlet and outlet of the selected wastewater treatment plants during April, July, and October 2023. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen of the influent and effluent were determined in the field, while total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The LC-20 prominence High-pressure liquid chromatography with a Photo-diode Array (PDA) detector was employed to quantify and profile the targeted pharmaceutical compounds. Levonorgestrel and efavirenz were analyzed using the gradient elution method, while the isocratic method was applied to analyze diclofenac and ibuprofen. The obtained results showed that the concentration ranges for ibuprofen were <LOD-114.00 μg/L (influent) and <LOD-59.9 μg/L (effluent), levonorgestrel: 6.2–8.09 μg/L (influent) and 4.25–20.9 μg/L (effluent), diclofenac: 2.21–25.00 μg/L (influent) and 0.36–5 μg/L (effluent), and efavirenz: 3.81–11.9 μg/L (influent) and 0.69–6.3 μg/L (effluent). The presence of these pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater, particularly in effluent, requires attention as they may pose significant ecological threats in the receiving water bodies. Therefore, this study recommends the development of efficient wastewater treatment technologies targeting pharmaceutical compounds and further routine monitoring of these compounds in surface water resources, as well as understanding their fate and effects in aquatic organisms.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402417555XDiclofenacEfavirenzIbuprofenLevonorgestrelLimpopo provinceHigh-pressure liquid chromatography |
| spellingShingle | E.P. Munzhelele W.B. Ayinde W.M. Gitari G.K. Pindihama R. Mudzielwana Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa Heliyon Diclofenac Efavirenz Ibuprofen Levonorgestrel Limpopo province High-pressure liquid chromatography |
| title | Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa |
| title_full | Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa |
| title_short | Occurrence of efavirenz, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province, South Africa |
| title_sort | occurrence of efavirenz levonorgestrel ibuprofen and diclofenac in wastewaters of limpopo province south africa |
| topic | Diclofenac Efavirenz Ibuprofen Levonorgestrel Limpopo province High-pressure liquid chromatography |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402417555X |
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