Environmental exposure of pharmaceuticals and musk fragrances in the Somes River before and after upgrading the municipal wastewater treatment plant Cluj-Napoca,Romania

Background, aim, and scope

Pharmaceutically active substances are a class of emerging contaminants, which has led to increasing concern about potential environmental risks. After excretion, substantial amounts of unchanged pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are discharged into domestic wastewaters. The absence of data on the environmental exposure in Eastern Europe is significant, since use patterns and volumes differ from country to country. In Romania, the majority of wastewater, from highly populated cities and industrial complex zones, is still discharged into surface waters without proper treatment or after inefficient treatment. In respect to this, it is important to determine the environmental occurrence and behavior of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewaters and surface waters. The objective of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of selected PPCPs during the transport in the Somes River by mass flow analysis before and after upgrading a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Cluj-Napoca, which serves 350,000 inhabitants and is the largest plant discharging into the Somes River. The concentrations of PPCPs at Cluj-Napoca can be correlated with the high population and a high number of hospitals located in the catchment area leading to higher mass flows. The results of this study are expected to provide information, with respect to the Romanian conditions, for environmental scientists, WWTP operators, and legal authorities. The data should support the improvement of existing WWTPs and implementation of new ones where necessary and, therefore, minimize the input of contaminants into ambient waters.

Materials and methods

The PPCPs were selected on the basis of consumption at the regional scale, reported aquatic toxicity, and the suitability of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the determination of the compounds at trace levels. The studied PPCPs, caffeine (stimulant), carbamazepine (antiepileptic), pentoxifylline (anticoagulant), cyclophosphamide (cytostatic), ibuprofen (analgesic), and galaxolide (musk fragrance), were determined in samples of the Somes River. The analytes were enriched by solid-phase extraction and subsequently determined by GC/MS. Caffeine, pentoxifylline, and galaxolide were determined underivatized, whereas the acidic pharmaceuticals carbamazepine, cyclophosphamide, and ibuprofen were determined after derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide.

Results and discussion

The concentrations in the Somes River varied from below 10 ng/L up to 10 μg/L. A substantial decrease of the exposure in the Somes River could be observed due to the upgrade of the municipal WWTP in Cluj-Napoca. The loads in the river stretch between Cluj-Napoca and Dej (Somes Mic) varied strongly: caffeine (400–2,000 g/day), carbamazepine (78–213 g/day), galaxolide (140–684 g/day), ibuprofen (84–108 g/day). After the upgrade of the WWTP Cluj-Napoca, the concentrations in the Somes of caffeine, pentoxifylline, cyclophosphamide, galaxolide, and tonalide were significantly reduced (over 75%). One might be cautious comparing both studies because the relative efficiency of the WWTP’s removal of PPCP was not evaluated. However, the significantly lower concentrations of most compounds after the upgrade of the WWTP Cluj-Napoca allow one to infer that the technical measures at the source substantially reduced inputs of contaminants to the receiving river. Dej loads of the poorly biodegradable substance carbamazepine increased by a factor of 2–3 as a result of wastewater discharges into the river. The disproportionate increase in caffeine loads by a factor of 4 below Cluj-Napoca indicates inputs of untreated wastewater from the Somes Mare due to the discharge of untreated wastewater derived from Bistrita, Nasaud, and Beclean (115,000 inhabitants).

Conclusions

The relative contribution of treated and untreated wastewater in surface water might be assessed by measuring chemical markers. Recalcitrant pharmaceuticals like carbamazepine are suitable as chemical markers for estimating the relative contribution of wastewater in surface water. The easily degradable caffeine might be a good indicator for raw sewage and hardly treated wastewaters.

Recommendations and perspectives

Municipal WWTPs have the potential of a significant contribution in reducing the load of contaminants to ambient waters. The efficiency of the wastewater treatment in Cluj-Napoca improved considerably after the upgrade of the WWTP. Therefore, it is crucial that several WWTPs must be implemented or improved in the Somes Valley Watershed in order to reduce the discharge of contaminants in the Somes River from these point sources.

     

Environmental exposure of pharmaceuticals and musk fragrances in the Somes River before and after upgrading the municipal wastewater treatment plant Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Background, aim, and scope  

Pharmaceutically active substances are a class of emerging contaminants, which has led to increasing concern about potential environmental risks. After excretion, substantial amounts of unchanged pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are discharged into domestic wastewaters. The absence of data on the environmental exposure in Eastern Europe is significant, since use patterns and volumes differ from country to country. In Romania, the majority of wastewater, from highly populated cities and industrial complex zones, is still discharged into surface waters without proper treatment or after inefficient treatment. In respect to this, it is important to determine the environmental occurrence and behavior of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewaters and surface waters. The objective of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of selected PPCPs during the transport in the Somes River by mass flow analysis before and after upgrading a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Cluj-Napoca, which serves 350,000 inhabitants and is the largest plant discharging into the Somes River. The concentrations of PPCPs at Cluj-Napoca can be correlated with the high population and a high number of hospitals located in the catchment area leading to higher mass flows. The results of this study are expected to provide information, with respect to the Romanian conditions, for environmental scientists, WWTP operators, and legal authorities. The data should support the improvement of existing WWTPs and implementation of new ones where necessary and, therefore, minimize the input of contaminants into ambient waters.     

Irrigation of treated wastewater in Braunschweig, Germany: an option to remove pharmaceuticals and musk fragrances

In this study the fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products which are irrigated on arable land with treated municipal wastewater was investigated. In Braunschweig, Germany, wastewater has been irrigated continuously for more than 45 years. In the winter time only the effluent of the sewage treatment plant (STP) of Braunschweig is used for irrigation, while during summer digested sludge is mixed with the effluent. In the present case study six wells and four lysimeters located in one of the irrigated agricultural fields were monitored with regard to the occurrence of 52 pharmaceuticals and two personal care products (PPCPs; e.g. betablockers, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, carbamazepine, musk fragrances, iodinated contrast media (ICM) and estrogens). No differences in PPCP pollution of the groundwater were found due to irrigation of STP effluents with and without addition of digested sludge, because many polar compounds do not sorb to sludge and lipophilic compounds are not mobile in the soil-aquifer. Most of the selected PPCPs were never detected in any of the lysimeter or groundwater samples, although they were present in the treated wastewater irrigated onto the fields. In the groundwater and lysimeter samples primarily the ICM diatrizoate and iopamidol, the antiepileptic carbamazepine and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole were detected up to several mugl(-1), while the acidic pharmaceuticals, musk fragrances, estrogens and betablockers were likely sorbed or transformed while passing the top soil layer. Potential estrogenic effects are likely to disappear after irrigation, since the most potent steroid estrogens were not measurable.     

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals in a municipal wastewater treatment plant: mass balance and removal processes

Occurrence and removal efficiencies of fifteen pharmaceuticals were investigated in a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant in Michigan. Concentrations of these pharmaceuticals were determined in both wastewater and sludge phases by a high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer. Detailed mass balance analysis was conducted during the whole treatment process to evaluate the contributing processes for pharmaceutical removal. Among the pharmaceuticals studied, demeclocycline, sulfamerazine, erythromycin and tylosin were not detected in the wastewater treatment plant influent. Other target pharmaceuticals detected in wastewater were also found in the corresponding sludge phase. The removal efficiencies of chlortetracycline, tetracycline, sulfamerazine, acetaminophen and caffeine were >99%, while doxycycline, oxytetracycline, sulfadiazine and lincomycin exhibited relatively lower removal efficiencies (e.g., <50%). For sulfamethoxazole, the removal efficiency was approximately 90%. Carbamazepine manifested a net increase of mass, i.e. 41% more than the input from the influent. Based on the mass balance analysis, biotransformation is believed to be the predominant process responsible for the removal of pharmaceuticals (22% to 99%), whereas contribution of sorption to sludge was relatively insignificant (7%) for the investigated pharmaceuticals.     

Human pharmaceuticals, antioxidants, and plasticizers in wastewater treatment plant and water reclamation plant effluents.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the presence of unregulated organic chemicals in reclaimed water using complementary targeted and broad spectrum approaches. Eleven of 12 targeted human pharmaceuticals, antioxidants, and plasticizers, and 27 tentatively identified non-target organic chemicals, were present in secondary effluent entering tertiary treatment trains at a wastewater treatment plant and two water reclamation facilities. The removal of these compounds by three different tertiary treatment trains was investigated: coagulant-assisted granular media filtration (California Title-22 water, 22 CCR 60301-60357; Barclay [2006]), lime clarification/reverse osmosis (lime/ RO), and microfiltration-reverse osmosis (MF/RO). Carbamazepine, clofibric acid, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, p-toluenesulfonamide, caffeine, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (N-BBSA) were present at low to high nanogram-per-liter levels in Title 22 water. The lime/RO product waters contained lower concentrations of clofibric acid, ibuprofen, caffeine, BHA, and N-BBSA (<10 to 71 ng/L) than their Title 22 counterparts. The MF/RO treatment reduced concentrations to levels below their detection limits, although BHT was present in MF/RO product water from one facility. The presence of the target analytes in two surface waters used as raw drinking water sources and a recharged groundwater was also examined. Surface waters used as raw drinking water sources contained caffeine, BHA, BHT, and N-BBSA, while recharged groundwater contained BHT, BHA, and N-BBSA. Nontarget compounds in recharged groundwater appeared to be attenuated with increased residence time in the aquifer.     

城市污水厂污水污泥的热值测定分析方法研究

建立热力学指标是污水生物处理过程热力学分析的基础工作,目前仍缺乏污水污泥化学能测试的标准方法。采用IKA C5000型自动热量计对某城市二级污水处理厂进水、出水、初沉污泥、剩余污泥、混合污泥和脱水污泥进行了热值测定,样品前处理采用103～105℃烘干获得干燥基,用苯甲酸进行加标回收。参照煤的发热量测定方法得到样品的高位热值。试验结果显示：出水干燥基的热值为05 kJ/g,进水干燥基的热值为4 kJ/g以上,各工艺段的污泥干燥基热值较高,基本都在12 kJ/g以上,接近右江褐煤水平。测定结果的标准偏差≤±0.452%,相对标准偏差≤±0.136%。通过同一批样品的元素分析及Dulong公式理论推算,发现2种方法可得到相似的结果。     

城市污水处理厂恶臭污染源调查与研究

以H2S和NH3为主要监测指标,对广州一大型生活污水处理厂主要恶臭源H2S、NH3的排放浓度进行了8个月的连续监测.结果表明,该污水厂恶臭成分H:S的排放浓度为0.01-22 mg/m',NH,排放浓度为0～0.67 mg/m3.同时,污水厂各处理单元由于其功能和运行条件不同,所产生的恶臭气体成分也不完全一样,在污水进水区段恶臭污染物以H2S为主,其中格栅井H2S浓度最高.其中沉砂池、格栅和污泥浓缩池的H2S、NH3排放浓度呈夏秋季节高、冬春季节低的特征,与季节变化的气温有明显的相关性.对恶臭排放影响因素的研究表明,污水水温越低则H2S和NH3的排放浓度越低,此外,降雨可以显著降低污水处理厂恶臭污染物的排放浓度.     

淄博市某城市污水处理厂运行效果分析

淄博市是我国重要的石油化工基地,工业废水与生活污水多混合排放到城市污水处理厂处理,污水成分复杂,处理难度大。根据淄博市某污水处理厂的长期运行数据,评价了悬浮性固体(SS)、化学需氧量(COD)、五日生化需氧量(BOD5)、氨氮(NH3-N)和总磷(TP)等水质指标的去除效果。结果表明:该厂实际水量高于设计水量,处于超负荷运行状态,且进水SS浓度较高,BOD5/COD2O工艺,设计停留时间较长,并将二沉池污泥部分回流到初沉池,提高对污染物去除效果,使出水SS、COD、BOD5、NH3-N和TP等指标达到一级A排放标准。进水中偶尔含有冲击性高浓度挥发酚,使污水厂硝化菌功能受抑制,出水NH3-N浓度异常升高,此时该厂通过投加活性污泥进行硝化菌接种,帮助系统尽快恢复正常运行;同时,高盐度工业废水会加速污水厂设备腐蚀。     

Detection,occurrence and fate of 22 psychiatric pharmaceuticals in psychiatric hospital and municipal wastewater treatment plants in Beijing,China

The liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS) method coupled with an automated solid-phase extraction procedure has been developed to identify 22 psychiatric pharmaceuticals, including seven anxiolytic-sedative-hypnotics, six antidepressants, and nine anti-schizophrenia drugs, in wastewater samples from two psychiatric hospital wastewater treatment plants (P-WWTPs) and three municipal wastewater treatment plants (M-WWTPs) in Beijing, China. Analyte recoveries from spiking experiments in the WWTP influent and effluent at three concentrations ranged from 70% to 110%, excluding sulpiride, ziprasidone, and olanzapine. Method detection limits for five, eight, and nine analytes in the WWTP influent and effluent were 20–80, 1–16, and <1 ng L^?1, respectively. High psychiatric pharmaceutical concentrations (e.g., ～942 ng L^?1oxazepam, 5552–12,782 ng L^?1 clozapine, 2762–9832 ng L^?1sulpiride, and 2030–4967 ng L^?1quetiapine) were frequently observed in P-WWTP influent compared to M-WWTPs. Although P-WWTPs typically had higher removal rates, significantly higher concentrations of the target compounds were observed in the P-WWTP secondary effluent than in the M-WWTP influent (e.g., ～752 ng L^?1oxazepam, ～8183 ng L^?1 clozapine, ～10,833 ng L^?1sulpiride, and ～1168 ng L^?1quetiapine). Thus, the discharge control of psychiatric pharmaceuticals from psychiatric hospitals requires improvement.     

规模化城市污水处理厂沉淀池模拟优化

高效沉淀池广泛应用于市政污水处理厂,其表面负荷是沉淀效率的关键指标。为将实际工程表面负荷稳定提升到12 m·h⁻¹,采用计算流体力学方法,模拟优化了高效沉淀池的负荷。结果表明,污泥特性和几何构型的协同关系是提高沉淀池表面负荷的关键。宽下降区、长挡墙有利于提升流场的均匀性,但远端出水堰的污泥流失风险限制了表面负荷提升。优化的挡墙长度、上升区/下降区(1/2.65)之比等几何构型特征,能够减少积泥斗污泥扰动,改善总体流场均匀性,从而将表面负荷提高到11~12 m·h⁻¹。污泥沉淀过程中的流变特性和流动本构认识不足,限制了表面负荷的进一步提升。上述结果提升了高效沉淀池工程负荷,深化了对高效沉淀池流态的认识,亦为污水处理系统的减污降碳协同增效提供运行优化工具及案例参考。     

城市污水处理厂反硝化聚磷菌的聚磷持久性

以桂林市第四污水处理厂氧化沟活性污泥为对象,研究在具有厌氧-缺氧-好氧环境的污水处理构筑物中富集存在的反硝化聚磷菌聚磷能力的持久性问题。结果表明,在此环境中富集的反硝化聚磷菌在经过3个周期的厌氧-缺氧条件下运行,最大释磷率由0.90 mg P/（g VSS.h）下降为0.07 mg P/（g VSS.h）,反硝化聚磷率由0.17 mg P/（g VSS.h）下降为0.04 mg P/（g VSS.h）。比较而言,在厌氧-缺氧-好氧环境下最大释磷率及聚磷率降幅较小,释磷率由0.59 mg P/（gVSS.h）下降为0.37 mg P/（g VSS.h）,反硝化聚磷率由0.17 mg P/（g VSS.h）下降为0.10 mg P/（g VSS.h）,厌氧-缺氧-好氧运行条件比单纯的厌氧-缺氧运行条件更有利于维持反硝化聚磷菌的聚磷性能。     

Wastewater characterisation and performance upgrading of a domestic wastewater treatment plant: the Erzincan case

A detailed characterisation of the incoming wastewater and a performance evaluation were carried out for the domestic wastewater treatment plant of Erzincan City. Conventional characterisation results showed that Erzincan has a medium strength wastewater quality. Structural characterisation of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) indicated that the biodegradable fraction of the total COD was 64.7%. The soluble inert fraction was computed as 10.9% of the total COD. In Erzincan, an activated sludge plant provides secondary treatment using Carrousel treatment units. Because some operational problems, such as sludge bulking and foaming, have been experienced, and performance failures related to carbonaceous matter removal have been recorded many times, a new operational strategy suitable for this type of treatment plant was developed. In the new strategy, the sludge age was kept at 22 days, intermittent aeration was abandoned and replaced by continuous aeration, and the sludge recycle ratio was increased to 1.35 from 0.85. The developed operational strategy showed its merit in that previous operational problems largely disappeared and COD concentrations remained below the Turkish discharge limits of 100 mg/l and the NH₄ removal rate was in the range 87–95%.     

Retention characteristics and balance assessment for two polycyclic musk fragrances (HHCB and AHTN) in a typical German sewage treatment plant

Measurements of two polycyclic musk fragrances HHCB (galaxolide) and AHTN (tonalide) were measured in wastewater and sludge of a German sewage treatment plant. The metabolite HHCB-lactone was identified and quantified in the same plant. The influent concentrations were about 1900 ng/l HHCB and 580 ng/l AHTN, while in the sludge about 3000 ng/g HHCB and 1500 ng/g AHTN were analysed. About 35% of both compounds passed through the plant unaltered and were discharged to the river. Slightly more HHCB was sorbed to the sludge than was discharged; while for AHTN about twice as much was sorbed to the sludge than was discharged. About 5-10% of the HHCB was oxidised in the plant to HHCB-lactone. The dominant processes in the STP were sorption processes, though.     

低温条件下城市污水厂污泥膨胀的生物学成因

先利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜技术,从微生物形态上判定所发生的污泥膨胀与絮体间的丝状体有关。再利用16S rRNA基因克隆文库测序技术从分类学角度进一步分析膨胀成因。结果表明,膨胀污泥微生物门分类水平上共检测出4种细菌,属分类水平上共检测出14种细菌,其中与膨胀相关的菌属是Haliscomenobacter和Trichococcus。BLAST结果表明,3株分别与Richococcus Flocculiformis、Candidatus Haliscomenobacter calcifugiens、Nostocoida limicolaⅠ相似度高的细菌与活性污泥系统发生的污泥膨胀有关。     

城市污水厂污泥化学调理深度脱水机理

城市污水厂剩余污泥脱水是当前实际生产中亟待解决的问题。考察了厦门市集美污水厂剩余污泥经FeCl3和CaO,投加量分别为污泥质量分数的0.5%～0.7%和1.0%～1.5%化学调理前后污泥粒度、形态及胞外聚合物(extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)的变化。结果表明,调理后污泥比阻降低86%,污泥颗粒之间细碎紧密,细菌表面变得粗糙,经板框压滤后含水率低于60%。由三维荧光光谱(three-dimensional emission and excitation matrixs,EEM)光谱分析可知,LB-EPS(loosely bound-EPS)同TB-EPS(Tightly bound-EPS)的荧光峰整体发生红移,出现位于IV区域的色氨酸类蛋白质荧光峰Ex/Em=313/380 nm。FeCl3和CaO的加入一方面破坏了污泥颗粒的细胞结构,使EPS大量溶出,细胞结合水变成表面吸附水;另一方面Fe3+和CaO水解,中和污泥负电荷,通过压缩双电层作用破坏污泥胶体颗粒的稳定,去除表面吸附水,大幅提高了污泥的脱水性能,利于进一步板框压滤脱水。     

北京市某城市污水处理厂微生物气溶胶污染特性研究

以北京市某城市污水处理厂的格栅间、曝气池、污泥浓缩池和污泥脱水间为对象,研究不同功能区的空气微生物浓度、粒径分布及微生物组成.结果表明:(1)该污水处理厂4个功能区空气异养细菌浓度平均值为3.3×104cfu/m3,范围为1.0×102～4.3×105cfu/m3;真菌浓度平均值为6.1×103cfu/m3,范围为7.5×10～7.6×104cfu/m3.异养细菌和真菌浓度存在显著性差异,尤以曝气池上空最高,其次是污泥脱水间,浓度最低的区域为格栅间和污泥浓缩池.各功能区均存在不同程度的异养细菌和真菌污染.(2)该污水处理厂不同功能区逸散出的异养细菌分布比例最高的为第2～5级,真菌主要分布在第3～5级.4个功能区空气中粒径为2.10～4.70μm(第3、4级)的异养细菌和真菌粒子分别占到了总数的37％～40％和46％～56％,而粒径为0.65～2.10μm(第5、6级)的异养细菌和真菌粒子则分别占到了总数的30％～33％和31％～37％,说明该污水处理厂不同功能区内的空气微生物存在一定的健康风险,可能对人呼吸道构成感染威胁.(3)假单孢菌(Pseudomonas)为该污水处理厂不同功能区均检出的优势异养细菌,而优势真菌种属为毛霉(Mucor)和曲霉(Aspergillus).     

基于污水处理厂提标改造需求的难降解工业废水处理工艺改进——以湖南省某城镇污水处理厂为例

以湖南省某城镇污水处理厂一期1.0× 104 m3·d-1提标改造工程项目为案例,针对其进水中工业废水占比高(达80％)、污染物浓度波动大、难降解有机物含量高等特点,在原水解酸化池+AAO+高效沉淀池+纤维转盘滤池工艺的基础上,通过现场中试实验,分析了以臭氧催化氧化+生物活性炭滤池(O3-BAC)作为提标改造主...     

浊度与微生物指标在污水再生处理系统中的去除特性及相关性

本研究考察了污水再生处理系统对颗粒物（包括浊度和粒径分布）和微生物指标（包括隐孢子虫、贾第鞭毛虫、粪大肠菌群和SC噬菌体）的去除特性以及不同指标间的相关关系。研究结果表明,污水再生处理系统对浊度的平均去除率为3.53-log,其中二级生化处理及砂滤对浊度的去除率较高,分别为1.52-log和1.35-log。粒径分析结果表明,絮凝沉淀后粒径均值达到最大值223.2 μm;而再生水中粒径均值最小,仅为5.8 μm。污水再生处理系统对各微生物指标的去除率为2.96-log~4.11-log。各处理单元中,二级生化处理单元对粪大肠菌群和SC噬菌体的去除率较高,分别为2.81-log及2.14-log;而砂滤对SC噬菌体去除效果较差,仅为0.18-log。从再生处理工艺整体上看,水样浊度、粪大肠菌群、SC噬菌体和两虫浓度具有显著相关性。而对于单个取样点,除污水厂进水中 SC噬菌体和两虫浓度表现出一定相关性外,其他情况下各指标与两虫浓度间均无显著相关关系。     

Fate of selected pharmaceuticals in hospital and municipal wastewater effluent: occurrence,removal, and environmental risk assessment

The concentrations and distribution of β-blockers, lipid regulators, and psychiatric and cancer drugs in the influent and effluent of the municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and the effluent of 16 hospitals that discharge into the wastewater treatment plant mentioned in this study at two sampling dates in summer and winter were examined. The pharmaceutical contribution of hospitals to municipal wastewater was determined. The removal of target pharmaceuticals was evaluated in a WWTP consisting of conventional biological treatment using activated sludge. Additionally, the potential environmental risk for the aquatic receiving environments (salt lake) was assessed. Beta-blockers and psychiatric drugs were detected in high concentrations in the wastewater samples. Atenolol (919 ng/L) from β-blockers and carbamazepine (7008 ng/L) from psychiatric pharmaceuticals were detected at the highest concentrations in hospital wastewater. The total pharmaceutical concentration determined at the WWTP influent and effluent was between 335 and 737 ng/L in summer and between 174 and 226 ng/L in winter. The concentrations detected in hospital effluents are higher than the concentrations detected in WWTP. The total pharmaceutical contributions from hospitals to the WWTP in summer and winter were determined to be 2% and 4%, respectively. Total pharmaceutical removal in the WWTP ranged from 23 to 54%. According to the risk ratios, atenolol could pose a high risk (risk quotient > 10) for fish in summer and winter. There are different reasons for the increase in pharmaceutical consumption in recent years. One of these reasons is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been going on for 2 years. In particular, hospitals were operated at full capacity during the pandemic, and the occurrence and concentration of pharmaceuticals used for the therapy of COVID-19 patients has increased in hospital effluent. Pandemic conditions have increased the tendency of people to use psychiatric drugs. It is thought that beta-blocker consumption has increased due to cardiovascular diseases caused by COVID-19. Therefore, the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals for aquatic organisms in hospital effluent should be monitored and evaluated.