Detection of Carbamazepine, Diclofenac, and Ketoprofen Via a SPE-HPLC-PDA Method in a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in East Texas, USA

Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Student Center Theatre and Twilight Ballroom

Pharmaceutical compounds are introduced into the environment and may pose adverse environmental and human health effects. The sources of pharmaceuticals include sewage, animal waste, and/or improper disposal from homes and hospitals. In this study, the spectroscopic, and chromatographic properties of carbamazepine (CBZ), diclofenac (DF), and ketoprofen (KT) were analyzed by using UV-Vis, fluorescence and HPLC. Via UV-VIS spectroscopy, CBZ, DF, and KT exhibited absorption peaks at 285 nm, 284 nm and 255.6 nm, respectively. The determined fluorescence quantum yield (Ff) for CBZ, DF, and KT were Ff = 0.226, 0.287, and 0.327, respectively. Retention times was observed at 3.84 (CBZ), 4.84 (KT), and 9.84 (DF) min. The removal efficiencies is in the range 8.8% (KT) to 39.2% (CBZ). This study is useful for the quantitation of these pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants and possible risks.