Nanomateriály pro čištění odpadních vod

Abstract

This thesis addresses the issue of pharmaceutical removal from wastewater using nanomaterials, with a specific focus on nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). Pharmaceuticals represent a significant group of so-called emerging contaminants, which are commonly found in municipal and hospital wastewater and are not sufficiently removed by current wastewater treatment methods. Their presence in the environment can have negative impacts on aquatic organisms and human health. The theoretical part of the thesis summarizes the characteristics of wastewater, the sources and occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Furthermore, it focuses on nanomaterials used in wastewater treatment, particularly nanoscale iron, its properties, synthesis methods, and mechanisms of action during the degradation or adsorption of pharmaceutically active substances. The experimental part is focused on laboratory testing of the efficiency of nanoscale iron in removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater. The thesis also includes a comparison of the results achieved with the effectiveness of activated carbon as a commonly used sorbent.