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Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Human and Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Tributary Surface Waters of the Han River Watershed, South Korea

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  • Jong Kwon Im

    (Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 12585, Korea)

  • Sang Hun Kim

    (Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 12585, Korea)

  • Young Seuk Kim

    (Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 12585, Korea)

  • Soon Ju Yu

    (Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 12585, Korea)

Abstract

Human and veterinary pharmaceuticals are being increasingly used for disease treatment; hence, their distribution and factors influencing them in the aquatic environment need to be investigated. This study observed the effect of human and animal populations, usage, purchasing criteria (prescription vs. non-prescription), and land use to identify the spatio-temporal distribution of eight pharmaceuticals at twenty-four sites of the tributaries of the Han River watershed. In rural areas, the mean concentration (detection frequency) of non-prescription pharmaceuticals (NPPs) was higher (lower) compared to that of prescription pharmaceuticals (PPs); in urban areas, a reverse trend was observed. Pharmaceutical concentrations in urban and rural areas were mainly affected by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and non-point sources, respectively; concentrations were higher downstream (4.9 times) than upstream of the WWTPs. The concentration distribution (according to the target) was as follows: human–veterinary > human > veterinary. Correlation between total concentration and total usage of the pharmaceuticals was high, except for NPPs. Most livestock and land use (except cropland) were significantly positively correlated with pharmaceutical concentrations. Concentrations were mainly higher (1.5 times) during cold seasons than during warm seasons. The results of this study can assist policymakers in managing pharmaceutical pollutants while prioritizing emerging pollutants.

Suggested Citation

  • Jong Kwon Im & Sang Hun Kim & Young Seuk Kim & Soon Ju Yu, 2021. "Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Human and Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Tributary Surface Waters of the Han River Watershed, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7969-:d:603002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristiana Morosini & Milena Marsoni & Vincenzo Torretta & Fabio Conti & Marco Ragazzi & Elena Cristina Rada & Gabriela Cioca, 2017. "Factors Affecting Spatial and Temporal Concentration Variability of Pharmaceuticals: Comparison between Two WWTPs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Junwon Park & Changsoo Kim & Youngmin Hong & Wonseok Lee & Hyenmi Chung & Dong-Hwan Jeong & Hyunook Kim, 2020. "Distribution and Removal of Pharmaceuticals in Liquid and Solid Phases in the Unit Processes of Sewage Treatment Plants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Huihui Chen & Xiaohong Gu & Qingfei Zeng & Zhigang Mao, 2019. "Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Carbamazepine on the Release of Chitobiase, Molting, and Reproduction in Daphnia similis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    4. La Thi Quynh Lien & Nguyen Quynh Hoa & Nguyen Thi Kim Chuc & Nguyen Thi Minh Thoa & Ho Dang Phuc & Vishal Diwan & Nguyen Thanh Dat & Ashok J. Tamhankar & Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg, 2016. "Antibiotics in Wastewater of a Rural and an Urban Hospital before and after Wastewater Treatment, and the Relationship with Antibiotic Use—A One Year Study from Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Omar Israel González Peña & Miguel Ángel López Zavala & Héctor Cabral Ruelas, 2021. "Pharmaceuticals Market, Consumption Trends and Disease Incidence Are Not Driving the Pharmaceutical Research on Water and Wastewater," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-37, March.
    6. Emile S. Massima Mouele & Jimoh O. Tijani & Kassim O. Badmus & Omoniyi Pereao & Omotola Babajide & Cheng Zhang & Tao Shao & Eduard Sosnin & Victor Tarasenko & Ojo O. Fatoba & Katri Laatikainen & Lesli, 2021. "Removal of Pharmaceutical Residues from Water and Wastewater Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Methods—A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-42, February.
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    1. Laura Elina Tomsone & Romans Neilands & Kristina Kokina & Vadims Bartkevics & Iveta Pugajeva, 2024. "Pharmaceutical and Recreational Drug Usage Patterns during and Post COVID-19 Determined by Wastewater-Based Epidemiology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-20, February.

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