University of Oulu Develops Pine Bark Solution for Pharmaceutical Residue Removal from Wastewater
The University of Oulu has conducted research demonstrating that modified pine bark can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues from wastewater, addressing challenges posed by the EU's updated Urban Wastewater Directive (2024). The study shows that pine bark, when modified with magnetite, can achieve removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for certain antibiotics and antidepressants.
In a four-month pilot, the modified material removed approximately 99.7% of trimethoprim and 93.7% of venlafaxine. The approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like activated carbon, leveraging the abundant availability of pine bark as a byproduct of the forestry industry. Researchers are also exploring other natural materials for wastewater treatment solutions.
