Abstract:
The National Industrial Zone, RCCI Rawat, Pakistan, houses multiple industries, contributing to the release of industrial effluent into adjacent aquatic environments. These compounds have demonstrated ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic organisms, and disruptions in the ecological balance of aquatic environments. Understanding the occurrence, distribution, and ecological risks associated with pharmaceutical compounds in the industrial effluent is crucial for effective environmental management and water
resource protection. This research aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the detection and ecological risk Assessment of selected pharmaceutical compounds (Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Cefixime, Cefoperazone and Ceftriaxone) in industrial
effluent within the National Industrial Zone, RCCI Rawat, Pakistan. Selected PCs in effluent and in surface water (Ling Stream) were analyzed through Liquid Chromatography (LC) and UV-Detector. Cefixime fund at high concentration in effluent (173.53-380.9 µg/L
followed by Cefoperazone (111.06-320.3 µg/L), Ciprofloxacin (67.72-212.55 µg/L), Levofloxacin (47.71-80.45 µg/L) were detected at medium concentration and Ceftriaxone (7.1-15.06 µg/L) at lowest level. The concentration of PCs (Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin,
cefixime and ceftriaxone) in Surface water (Ling stream) were (2.47 – 7.22 µg/L), (1.92 – 3.73 µg/L), (0.00 – 9.94 µg/L) and (2.80 – 9.00 µg/L) respectively. Ecological risk Assessment were conducted against several freshwater species. Risk quotient in case of
Ciprofloxacin (247 – 722) and Levofloxacin (192 – 373) Pharmaceutical compounds were highest against Green Algae greater than 1.0 that is and made high risk against the species. And Risk quotient of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin for Fish and Daphnia were too low and less the 1.0. The RQ value was determined for Cefixime (156.5 – 248.5) against Bacteria (P. putida) pose high level risk against the species. The conducted ecological risk Assessment using the Risk Quotient (RQ, the potential impact on the aquatic environment of Ling stream, revealing significant variations in pharmaceutical compound concentrations and highlighting the limitations of current wastewater treatment processes in removing these compounds. In conclusion, this research addresses the need for improved treatment technologies and environmental management.
