review · Water
This review article examined the sources, pathways, effects, occurrence, and geographical distribution of commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in South Africa's wastewater and receiving water bodies. Data was gathered from Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, and a zone-wise classification method was used to analyse spatial distribution and data gaps. The review found over 100 pharmaceutical compounds in various South African water sources, with concentrations ranging from nanograms to micrograms per litre. Most studies and the highest concentrations were reported in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal. Frequently detected residues included common pain relievers, antibiotics, and antiretrovirals. Gauteng recorded the highest number of detected pharmaceuticals, while the Northern Cape showed no monitoring evidence. The review recommends further research to track these contaminants, particularly in under-monitored regions like Limpopo.
Pharmaceutical contaminants in water can pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and potentially human health through drinking water. Understanding their presence and distribution is crucial for developing effective water management strategies and protecting environmental quality across South Africa.
This review identifies a significant environmental problem: widespread pharmaceutical contamination in South African waters. It highlights the need for improved monitoring technologies and strategies, particularly in under-researched regions. This early-stage research could inform the development of advanced water testing kits, remediation technologies, or policy frameworks for water quality management.
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The focus of this review article was to outline the sources, pathways, effects, occurrence, and spatial distribution of the most prescribed pharmaceuticals in wastewater and receiving waters of South Africa. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to gather data from different regions. A zone-wise classification method was used to determine the spatial distribution and data deficiencies in different regions of South Africa. This review revealed that over 100 pharmaceutical compounds have been reported in South Africa’s various water sources and wastewater, with most studies and highest concentrations being documented in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The pharmaceutical concentration in water samples ranged from ng/L to µg/L. Aspirin, ketoprofen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, erythromycin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, acetaminophen, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, carbamazepine, atenolol, pindolol, efavirenz, and zidovudine residues were among the frequently detected pharmaceutical residues in water bodies and wastewaters of South Africa. Based on the spatial distribution data, Gauteng has the highest number of pharmaceuticals (108) detected in waste and surface water, with the Northern Cape having no monitoring evidence. Therefore, to precisely ascertain the geographical distribution of pharmaceutical contaminants in South Africa, this review recommends that further research be carried out to track their occurrence in aquatic environments and WWTP, especially in isolated regions like Limpopo.
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DOI: 10.3390/w16060796
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