Removal of Drug Pollutants from Aqueous Media Using Clam Shells Waste

Abstract

The pharmaceutical products represent a serious environmental issue in the municipal wastewaters and waste water treatment plants (WWTP). Due to their resistance to biological degradation, the elimination of these pollutants is difficult. In the last years, paracetamol has been detected in higher concentrations in wastewaters. In order to avoid disturbing the aquatic life, economically viable procedures should be identified for removing these types of pollutants. In this context, the present paper has evaluated the efficiency of clam shells waste for retaining paracetamol molecules dispersed in aqueous solutions. The obtained results showed that high removal efficiency is obtained for 60 minutes adsorption duration and a ratio of  about 1:100 clam shells: aqueous solution.