University of Coimbra's innovative treatment uses clam biofiltration to remove drugs from wastewater

A group of researchers from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy (FFUC), has developed an innovative treatment that uses the biofiltration of the Asian clam to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater.

This work is being carried out as part of the "Development of Biofiltration Strategies for Water Recovery" (BIOFREE) project. This project was one of the winners of the 4th edition of the University of Coimbra's Seed Project Awards for Interdisciplinary Scientific Research.

"The project aims to take advantage of the Asian clam, both by giving it a practical use and by helping to combat it, as it is an invasive species. The aim is to remove drugs from wastewater, allowing it to be safely reused," explains João Gomes, a researcher at the Centre for Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability (CERES) of the Department of Chemical Engineering (DEQ).

According to João Gomes, "The big challenge was to create an efficient biofilter that would allow the clam to be retained, because as an invasive species, it is important that it is not released into the environment, but only into the treated water".

The project aims to prevent future environmental, animal and human health problems. For André Pereira, animal health is inextricably linked to human and environmental health. "The issue of pharmaceuticals is a good example. What happens is that after we take them, they go to the wastewater treatment plant and from there to the river, where they affect the animal ecosystem, the environment and subsequently our health through the river water that is collected for human consumption. It's always important to be aware of these three aspects, which are inextricably linked," he concludes.