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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217065
Title: Removal of Hormones and Antibiotics by Nanofiltration Membranes

Author
item KOYUNCU, ISMAIL - ISTANBUL TEC UNIV,TURKEY
item ARIKAN, OSMAN - ISTANBUL TEC UNIV,TURKEY
item WIESNER, MARK - C&EE DEPT, DUKE UNIV, NC
item Rice, Clifford

Submitted to: Journal Membrane Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2007
Publication Date: 2/15/2008
Citation: Koyuncu, I., Arikan, O.A., Wiesner, M.R., Rice, C. 2008. Removal of Hormones and Antibiotics by Nanofiltration Membranes. Journal Membrane Science. 309:94-101.

Interpretive Summary: Membrane filtration using nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes is one of the most promising techniques for the removal of hormones and antibiotics, particularly under conditions present in waste water treatment plant systems where there is a great need to regulate the release of these compounds. The removal of several hormones and antibiotics by nanofiltration membranes was studied in mixed solutions. The effects of solution chemistry, organic matter and salinity were investigated on the rejection of tetracycline’s and sulfanamides and selected hormones. Tetracyclines were observed to have a high adsorptive affinity for the membrane. Almost 80% of chlorotetracycline was adsorbed on the membrane surface compared with 50% for doxcycline, while the adsorption rates for hormones were lower than those obtained for tetracyclines. Addition of calcium, organic matter and salinity had an influence on the rejections. Rejection of sulfanamides was low compared to hormones and tetracyclines. Addition of antibiotics to hormone solution increased the hormone rejections while almost complete rejections were observed for tetracyclines.

Technical Abstract: The removal of several hormones and antibiotics by nanofiltration membranes was studied in mixed solutions. The effects of solution chemistry, organic matter and salinity were investigated on the rejection of tetracycline’s and sulfanamides and selected hormones and their adsorption on membranes. Tetracyclines were observed to have a high adsorptive affinity for the membrane. Almost 80% of chlorotetracycline was adsorbed on the membrane surface compared with 50% for doxcycline while the adsorption rates for hormones were lower than those obtained for tetracyclines. Addition of calcium, organic matter and salinity had an influence on the rejections. Rejection of sulfanamides was low compared to hormones and tetracyclines. Addition of antibiotics to hormone solution increased the hormone rejections while almost complete rejections were observed for tetracyclines.