Refractory organics and Emerging

Contaminants
• Resistant to biological degradation
• Surfactants, industrial solvents, pesticides,
pharmaceuticals, personal care products etc.
• Toxic to aquatic life and lead to
bioaccumulation

2/21/2023 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, IITD 1

 What are emerging contaminants?
• Chemicals detected recently and are present
in more than expected concentrations

Emerging
contaminants

Endocrine
Personal care
pharmaceuticals disrupting
products
compounds

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 Pharmaceuticals and Personal care products
Antibiotics and
Antimicrobials (PPCPs) UV filtres &
Fluoroquinolones,
Fragrances
Non-steroidal anti- Beta-blockers Benzophenone,
Tetracyclines etc.
inflammatory drugs Anti-depressants & Atenolol, Calaxilid etc.
Steroidal hormones
Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Lipid regulators Metoprolol
Diclfenac etc. Estrogens,
01 progesterones, Carbemazepine, 06
Androgens etc. Gemfibrozil, clofibric
02 acid etc. 05
03 04
Pharma Industries
Discharges the active pharmaceutical
ingredients into aqueous streams Human consumption
prescribed and over the Hospitals
counter drugs

WWTPs
CETPs
 Endocrine disrupting compounds
Hormones + Receptor ------- Nucleus ------- Transcription of response genes -------- Biological response

Natural & Synthetic

hormones
a
a. Industrial input through direct 01 Androgens, estrogens
discharge etc.
b. Application of fertilizers in farm land
c. Human use of PPCPs, Plastics etc.
d. Penetration to GW resource.
PPCPs
02 Antimicrobials,
fragrances, Stimulants
b etc.

c Pesticides
03 Insecticides, Herbicides,
Bactericides
d

Plastic products
04 Pthalates, Phenolic
compounds
Pesticides

https://www.intechopen.com/books/applied-bioremediation-active-and-passive-approaches/persistence-and-bioaccumulation-of-persistent-organic-
pollutants-pops-
 Heavy metals

Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/13718
Microplastics

https://www.blastic.eu/knowledge-bank/sources-and-pathways/pathways/
 Per/Poly fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS)
• Organo-fluorine
compounds - widely
used in non-stick
coatings for metals,
flame resistant fabrics,
stain repellent topical
coatings, surface
active additives and
firefighting foams etc.

• C-F bond, the

strongest bond formed
by the carbon. high
resistance towards
biodegradation,
chemical and thermal
techniques

Source: Bentuo Xu et al. “PFAS and their substitutes in groundwater:

Occurrence, transformation and remediation”.
 • Continuous exposure

• Lack of knowledge

• Anti-microbial resistance- super bug

• EDCs cause hormone imbalance

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(Down to Earth)
2/21/2023 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, IITD 13
(Times of India)