Ripple effects: understanding and mitigating psychopharmaceutical pollution in freshwater

TY - THES

T1 - Ripple effects

T2 - understanding and mitigating psychopharmaceutical pollution in freshwater

AU - Dubey, Asmita

N1 - Data archiving: no data, PhD thesis

PY - 2026/4/24

Y1 - 2026/4/24

N2 - Many medicines used by people end up in rivers and lakes after passing through wastewater treatment plants. These substances, called micropollutants, are often found in very small amounts, but they can still affect aquatic life. This research focused on psychopharmaceuticals, i.e., medicines used to treat mental health conditions such as antidepressants. Even at low levels, these chemicals can change how aquatic organisms behave, move, feed, and interact with each other, which may disturb the ecosystem health. This PhD studied both the effects of these medicines on aquatic life and ways to remove them from wastewater. Experiments showed that some antidepressants can affect specific groups of organisms and alter food web processes in aquatic ecosystems. The research also tested advanced wastewater treatments, such as ozonation and granular activated carbon, to see how well they remove these pollutants. While both methods reduced pollutant levels, ozonation improved water quality and ecosystem health more clearly. Overall, the research highlights the need to better consider subtle effects of medicines in environmental protection and improve understanding of the effect of different wastewater treatments on freshwater ecosystems.

AB - Many medicines used by people end up in rivers and lakes after passing through wastewater treatment plants. These substances, called micropollutants, are often found in very small amounts, but they can still affect aquatic life. This research focused on psychopharmaceuticals, i.e., medicines used to treat mental health conditions such as antidepressants. Even at low levels, these chemicals can change how aquatic organisms behave, move, feed, and interact with each other, which may disturb the ecosystem health. This PhD studied both the effects of these medicines on aquatic life and ways to remove them from wastewater. Experiments showed that some antidepressants can affect specific groups of organisms and alter food web processes in aquatic ecosystems. The research also tested advanced wastewater treatments, such as ozonation and granular activated carbon, to see how well they remove these pollutants. While both methods reduced pollutant levels, ozonation improved water quality and ecosystem health more clearly. Overall, the research highlights the need to better consider subtle effects of medicines in environmental protection and improve understanding of the effect of different wastewater treatments on freshwater ecosystems.

U2 - 10.18174/681355

DO - 10.18174/681355

M3 - PhD thesis

SN - 978-94-6534-279-5

T3 - NIOO Thesis 238

PB - Wageningen University

CY - Wageningen

ER -