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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
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Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2792

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Goreti Pereira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemistry Department and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3800-724 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: nanomaterials; biomedical applications; environmental applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vania Calisto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CESAM, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: microcontaminants; advanced wastewater treatment; alternative adsorbents; waste valorization; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pharmaceuticals are a fundamental pillar of health for humans and other animals. However, beyond their undeniable benefits, they are increasingly recognized as significant microcontaminants, ubiquitously present in various environmental compartments at trace yet potentially impactful levels. Over the past few decades, this multidisciplinary challenge has attracted growing scientific attention, yet much remains to be discovered.

While the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is well established, advances in analytical technologies remain essential to enable faster, easier, and more sensitive detection in complex environmental matrices, allowing for feasible and real-time monitoring. Concurrently, mitigating the continuous release of these contaminants calls for cost-effective and sustainable treatment and remediation strategies capable of reducing environmental concentrations in the near future. Finally, understanding the persistence of these compounds, interactions with other pollutants, and their effects on non-target organisms—from ecological consequences to comprehensive risk assessments—is also critical for fully addressing this issue.

This Special Issue, launched within the scope of the 6th International Conference on Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment, seeks to unite expertise on advanced analytical methodologies for the detection and monitoring of pharmaceuticals, innovative remediation technologies for the removal of these microcontaminates, and their ecotoxicological assessment. We particularly welcome contributions that present novel approaches, innovative instrumentation, and data-driven techniques to improve the sensitivity, speed, and feasibility of pharmaceutical detection in complex matrices. We strongly encourage submissions offering new insights into monitoring, mitigation, and risk assessment that enhance our understanding and improve the management of pharmaceutical residues in the environment to this Special Issue.

Dr. Goreti Pereira
Dr. Vania Calisto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pharmaceuticals
  • environmental impact
  • novel analytical techniques
  • remediation strategies
  • risk assessment
  • ecological effects

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1178 KB  
Article
Biofiltration of Emerging Contaminants as a Sustainable Pest Management Strategy and Its Impact on Corbicula fluminea
by André M. P. T. Pereira, Eva Domingues, Liliana J. G. Silva, Andreia Freitas, Paula V. Morais, Sara Domingues, Tiago Lima, Gabriela J. da Silva, Ana Paula Chung and João Gomes
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060870 - 30 May 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Water scarcity is driving the development of strategies for treating municipal wastewater (MW) to enable its safe reuse. Nonetheless, MW contains contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, which require innovative treatment technologies. In this context, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Water scarcity is driving the development of strategies for treating municipal wastewater (MW) to enable its safe reuse. Nonetheless, MW contains contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, which require innovative treatment technologies. In this context, Corbicula fluminea, an invasive freshwater clam, presents a high biofiltration capacity, and its environmental impact could be mitigated by assigning it a beneficial role in wastewater treatment. Methods: The ability of C. fluminea to remove chemical and biological CECs from real MW secondary-treated effluents was assessed. The effects of real wastewater on the clams’ microbiome and on colony-forming unit (CFU) counts in their soft tissues were also assessed. Results: Under real conditions, the clams achieved over 73% removal for 3 chemical CECs after 24 h, with an average removal of approximately 39%. The clams showed recovery of both CFU counts and microbial community composition, dominated by opportunistic and stress-tolerant groups in the presence of pharmaceuticals. The removal of multidrug-resistant bacteria was evaluated; despite real wastewater reducing clearance rates, the clams significantly reduced these bacteria within 24 h. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that C. fluminea can serve as an effective polishing treatment, improving effluent quality, supporting control of this invasive species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment)
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18 pages, 1675 KB  
Article
Multi-Residue Determination and Risk Assessment of EU-Relevant Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, and UV-Filters in Drinking Water
by Inês M. Quintela, Ana M. Gorito, Marta O. Barbosa, Adrián M. T. Silva and Ana R. L. Ribeiro
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030402 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Scientific concern regarding the widespread occurrence of micropollutants (MPs) in aquatic environments has been growing. Background/Objectives: Since conventional wastewater and drinking water (DW) treatment plants are generally unable to completely remove MPs, their presence in DW may occur, potentially posing adverse effects [...] Read more.
Scientific concern regarding the widespread occurrence of micropollutants (MPs) in aquatic environments has been growing. Background/Objectives: Since conventional wastewater and drinking water (DW) treatment plants are generally unable to completely remove MPs, their presence in DW may occur, potentially posing adverse effects on public health. Highly sensitive analytical methods are crucial, as MPs may occur at very low concentrations in DW, usually at ng L−1 levels. Methods: An offline solid-phase extraction ultra-high performance liquid-chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometry (SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS) method was optimized and validated for the determination of 23 MPs in DW, including 12 pharmaceuticals, 9 pesticides, and 2 UV-filters, listed in the 2 most recent European Union (EU) Decisions (2022/1307 and 2025/439) for surface water monitoring, and in the revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (2024/3019). The validated method was applied to 50 DW samples collected across Portugal. Results: The optimized SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method showed high analytical sensitivity, achieving method detection limits below 1.50 ng L−1. Up to 3 MPs were detected per sample, with quantifiable concentrations of each ranging from 0.28 to 98.8 ng L−1. However, benzotriazole and dimoxystrobin exceeded the upper limits of their calibration curves (i.e., concentrations higher than 133 and 117 ng L−1, respectively) in one and 3 of the collected samples, respectively. Considering all analyzed samples, 4 (fluconazole, irbesartan, dimoxystrobin, and benzotriazole) of the 23 target compounds were detected. Hazard quotient values for all detected MPs were well below 0.1. Conclusions: The validated SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method is suitable for the sensitive determination of MPs in DW. Some MPs were detected, with concentrations indicating no expected human health risks under the conditions evaluated. Further monitoring campaigns should be conducted in the future, with compounds exceeding the limits of the calibration curves requiring special attention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment)
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21 pages, 2049 KB  
Article
Venlafaxine Removal from Water and Wastewater Using Activated Carbons from Spent Brewery Grains Produced by Conventional vs. Microwave Pyrolysis
by Angelica R. Zizzamia, Ângela Almeida, María V. Gil, Filomena Lelario and Vânia Calisto
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030344 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The recent increase in antidepressant consumption, particularly venlafaxine, combined with the limited effectiveness of conventional wastewater treatment processes, has led to rising environmental concentrations. Adsorption methods have emerged as effective strategies for removing persistent pharmaceuticals without generating harmful by-products. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The recent increase in antidepressant consumption, particularly venlafaxine, combined with the limited effectiveness of conventional wastewater treatment processes, has led to rising environmental concentrations. Adsorption methods have emerged as effective strategies for removing persistent pharmaceuticals without generating harmful by-products. This study aimed to develop and assess two activated carbons (ACs) derived from spent brewery grains as an efficient material for venlafaxine removal from wastewater. Methods: Two pyrolysis methods, conventional and microwave-assisted, were evaluated to assess their influence on the adsorption properties. The materials were characterized through nitrogen physisorption and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate surface area (SBET), porosity, and morphology. Their adsorption properties were examined through batch adsorption experiments to analyze kinetic and equilibrium behavior, and the efficacy was evaluated in both ultrapure water and real wastewater. Results: The obtained AC exhibited high porosity, with the SBET ranging from 1080 to 1197 m2 g−1. Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, achieving equilibrium within 2 h. The equilibrium data were optimally described by the Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer adsorption, with the maximum adsorption capacity of microwave-assisted AC reaching 74 ± 6 mg g−1. Microwave-assisted AC has shown higher efficiency than conventionally produced AC, demonstrating that this pyrolysis technique can produce materials with enhanced adsorption properties. Conclusions: This study evidences that microwave-assisted pyrolysis of an abundant agro-industrial residue yields high-performance materials capable of efficiently removing an antidepressant, included in the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, from complex effluents even at low doses, highlighting a sustainable route to mitigate pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment)
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Review

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21 pages, 1107 KB  
Review
An Overview of the Presence of Cephalosporin Antibiotics in Aquatic Environments
by Ramona-Alexandra Ciausu, Mircea Nicusor Nicoara, Ionut-Alexandru Chelaru, Gabriel Andrei Andronic, Alin Stelian Ciobica and Dorel Ureche
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(4), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19040650 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Background: Cephalosporins, widely used β-lactam antibiotics, are becoming significant environmental pollutants, primarily due to their high use and persistence. They are released into the environment mainly through wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and hospital discharge, with particularly high concentrations recorded in effluents. Conventional [...] Read more.
Background: Cephalosporins, widely used β-lactam antibiotics, are becoming significant environmental pollutants, primarily due to their high use and persistence. They are released into the environment mainly through wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and hospital discharge, with particularly high concentrations recorded in effluents. Conventional wastewater treatment methods have inadequate removal efficiency, while advanced treatments, such as ozonation, activated carbon adsorption, and advanced oxidation processes, although more efficient, may produce toxic by-products. Recent studies emphasize the importance of improved detection and monitoring techniques and advocate for stricter effluent regulations. Despite growing research attention, important knowledge gaps remain, including limited long-term field monitoring, insufficient data on environmentally realistic exposure scenarios, and incomplete assessment of transformation-product toxicity. Methods: The search strategy used the SCOPUS and PUBMED databases with the keywords “cephalosporin” AND “aquatic environment”, resulting in 341 records. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 110 peer-reviewed English-language studies meeting predefined thematic inclusion criteria and relevant to the occurrence, environmental fate, ecotoxicological effects, antimicrobial resistance, and removal of cephalosporins in aquatic environments were included in the narrative synthesis. Results: The literature on cephalosporins in aquatic environments has expanded significantly from 1978 to 2025, prompted by concerns about pharmaceutical contamination and antibiotic resistance. Studies from 2016 to 2025 used advanced and multidisciplinary monitoring techniques, revealed key pollution sources such as wastewater treatment plants and hospitals, and correlated antibiotic residues with resistance genes, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and mitigation efforts. Ecotoxicological and fate studies further indicate that transformation processes may generate products with altered or increased toxicity, complicating environmental risk assessment. Conclusions: The literature shows increasing attention to cephalosporins in aquatic environments, reporting associations with antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects on aquatic organisms, including potential toxicity from transformation products. This review highlights the need for integrated monitoring, standardized toxicity assessment, and improved treatment strategies within a One Health framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Mitigation, and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment)
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