Effluents anthropogenic

Local assessment of the mass balance of the most critical PhCs (the most frequently administered antibiotics, analgesics/anti-inflammatories and the psychiatric dmg carbamazepine, considered an anthropogenic marker in wastewaters [121]) also provides useful information about the PhC contribution of the hospital effluent with respect to that of the catchment area. The extent of this contribution will differ between compound, but Beier et al. [92], in particular, reported that it can reach as high as 94% for some antibiotics (ciprofloxacin), although Kummerer [53], on the other hand, stated that only up to 25% of the antibiotics administered in Germany are used in hospitals. 

Phosphorus in the subsurface originates from a natural parent material or anthropogenic application on land surface (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, surfactant products, sludge, and effluents). This element may be found in inorganic or organic forms, which are in a dynamic equihbrium with dissolved P in the subsurface liquid phase. 

Domestic waste water is the major anthropogenic source of nickel in waterways (Nriagu and Pacyna 1988). Concentrations of nickel in influents to 203 municipal waste-water treatment plants (9,461 observations) ranged from 2 to 111,400 pg/L the median value was 300 pg/L (Minear et al. 1981). Concentrations in treated effluents were not reported. However, nickel may be removed by chemical precipitation or coagulation treatment in publicly owned treatment works, which reduces nickel releases (EPA 1981). 

Aluminum, a silver-white, malleable, and ductile metal, is the most abundant metallic element in the lithosphere, comprising about 8% of the earth s crust. It is never found free in nature, but occurs combined with other elements, most commonly as aluminosilicates, oxides, and hydroxides in rock, minerals, clays, and soil. It is also present in air, water, and many foods. Bauxite, a weathered rock consisting primarily of aluminum hydroxide minerals, is the primary ore used in aluminum production. Aluminum enters environmental media naturally through the weathering of rocks and minerals. Anthropogenic releases are in the form of air emissions, waste water effluents, and solid waste primarily associated with industrial processes, such as aluminum production. Because of its prominence as a major constituent of the earth s crust, natural weathering processes far exceed the contribution of releases to air, water, and land associated with human activities. 

---