Characterization of the effects of pharmaceuticals in activated sludge using quantitative image analysis

Abstract

Background: The extensive use of personal care products and pharmaceuticals for human consumption and veterinary usage led to the detection of these products in wastewater effluents and aqueous systems as rivers, surface waters and others. The ecotoxicology of pharmaceuticals was well studied by Backhaus [1]. The effect of these compounds on microorganisms is also an important study that should be taken into account when biological processes are used to remove these compounds from aqueous systems. Quantitative image analysis (QIA) is considered a useful technique for biological processes monitoring when combined to microscopy. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of ibuprofen (IBU), paracetamol (PARA), and ethynylestradiol (EE2) on the biomass morphology using QIA.