Objective 1:

To develop new as well as to improve existing analytical methods based on high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry for the analysis of selected pharmaceuticals and their degradation products in highly complex environmental samples.

Objective 2:

To evaluate acute and chronic toxicity of target pharmaceuticals and their degradation products using a set of bioassays (Vibrio fischeri (rapid test), algae Selenastrum capricornutum and crustacean Daphnia magna (long-term tests)).

Objective 3:

To develop innovative wastewater treatment technologies. Proposed treatment technologies include photochemical advanced oxidation processes – photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO₂ film as well as novel materials with improved photocatalytic properties (TiO₂ doped with noble metals Ag⁺ and Au³⁺).

Objective 4:

To evaluate fate of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Important aspect of the proposed project is creation of new knowledge about pharmaceuticals fate end effects in the environment. Abiotic degradation processes, hydrolysis and photolysis, as well as sorption to the soil and river sediment will be investigated. Main degradation products formed during hydrolytic and photolytic degradation in the environment will be identified using advanced analytical methods. Hydrolytic and photolytic degradation kinetics will be determined and degradation mechanisms and degradation pathways will be elucidated. Also, the degradation products formed during the developed AOPs will be identified and pharmaceuticals degradation kinetics will be determined. Also, degradation mechanism and pathways will be proposed.