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UCT PragueFETDepartment of Environmental Chemistry Novinky Czech Science Foundation: Advanced Oxidation Processes for the Removal of Antiviral Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater
McGachy Group

Czech Science Foundation: Advanced Oxidation Processes for the Removal of Antiviral Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater

14. 1. 2026 Radek Škarohlíd

Lenka McGachy’s Team Develops Advanced Oxidation Processes for the Removal of Antivirals from Wastewater

A research team led by Dr. Lenka McGachy from the Department of Environmental Chemistry at UCT Prague is developing efficient methods for removing antiviral pharmaceuticals from aquatic environments using peroxymonosulfate (PMS)- and peracetic acid (PAA)-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GACR project no. 26-23628S), the project aims to elucidate pharmaceutical degradation mechanisms and determine how commonly occurring salts (halides) influence antiviral removal efficiency and the toxicity of resulting transformation products.

Project Focus: What Is Dr. McGachy’s Team Addressing?

The team focuses on mitigating water pollution caused by antiviral drugs—specifically Arbidol and Zidovudine. Due to their chemical stability and widespread therapeutic use (e.g., treating influenza and HIV), these substances frequently enter the aquatic environment. The core of the research investigates advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) relying on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and peracetic acid (PAA).

A key innovation lies in exploring oxidant activation not only by heat, but primarily mediated by halides (chlorides, bromides, and iodides) commonly present in wastewater matrices. The objective is to understand how these salts alter reaction pathways and determine whether they can enhance treatment efficiency without generating hazardous antiviral transformation by-products.

Methodologies and Analytical Techniques

The research combines state-of-the-art analytical and experimental techniques:

  • Chromatographic Analysis: High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) serve to monitor pharmaceutical transformation kinetics and identify intermediate degradation products.

  • Mechanistic Insights: Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is employed to differentiate between radical and non-radical reaction pathways.

  • Toxicity Assessment: Biological assays (such as Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition and algal growth inhibition tests) are combined with in silico toxicity predictions using QSAR models and ECOSAR software.

  • Theoretical Modeling: Reaction pathways and mechanisms are theoretically validated using quantum chemical calculations (density functional theory, DFT) and kinetic modeling in COMSOL Multiphysics.

Potential Applications and Impact

The developed processes target more effective elimination of micropollutants from wastewater, preventing their breakthrough into surface waters and drinking water reservoirs where they could promote the emergence of resistant viral strains or exert toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems.

The project delivers critical insights into how the complex "chemical reality" of wastewater (salinity, pH, temperature) dictates the performance of oxidation processes. Ultimately, these findings will guide the design of tailored water treatment strategies that maximize pollutant degradation while minimizing the formation of toxic halogenated by-products.