Water resource rejuvenation via AOP based degradation of pharmaceuticals extensively used during COVID-19

During COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease - 2019), pharmaceuticals such as hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, azithromycin, dexamethasone, heparin, molnupiravir etc., have been rampantly used in the treatment drive. The pharmacokinetics data of these pharmaceuticals revealed that they are not entirely absorbed by the body and can be released in primary form into wastewater. These compounds have a very high tendency to persist, bio-accumulate, and transmit into living beings in nondegradable toxic forms. Consequently, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are rising swiftly in wastewater. Due to pandemic, the detected concentrations of these pharmaceuticals in aqueous medium are beyond the acceptable limits. Hence, they are emerging as the “newest concern” for water contamination. Accordingly, it demands urgent attention worldwide to develop newer and better processes for fast and efficient degradation of growing pharmaceutical contaminants (PC). Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) appear to be the supremely effective wastewater treatment technology with almost 100 % removal efficiency and greater mineralization of micropollutant compared to that with other processes. Therefore, this review attempts to elucidate the most significant information on the recent progresses associated with AOP-based degradation technologies applicable precisely for the elimination and mineralization of pharmaceuticals used during COVID-19.