Trapping and Removal of X-ray Contrast Medium agents from water resource and stream Sediments- New Concepts in Trapping, Recycling and Management

Project Information

REMEDI

Grant agreement ID: 956384

DOI

10.3030/956384

Project closed

EC signature date 8 July 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 August 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 1 348 543,44

EU contribution

€ 1 348 543,44

Coordinated by

POLITECNICO DI MILANO
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - REMEDI (Trapping and Removal of X-ray Contrast Medium agents from water resource and stream Sediments- New Concepts in Trapping, Recycling and Management)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

REMEDI trains future professionals and scientists in the area of competitive use of water resources within an industry centered environment, targeting the problem of scarcity of water resources due to contamination by pharmaceuticals. Enhanced loading of water resources with pharmaceuticals is a key challenge in meeting the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. Iodinated X-ray contrast medium agents (CMA) are one type of the pharmaceuticals being used for the imaging of soft tissues which are typically administered in elevated doses for each imaging operation and excreted mainly nonmetabolized. The CMA are persistent during conventional biological wastewater treatments and therefore, CMA have been detected at elevated concentrations in the effluents of waste water treatment plants, surface waters, groundwater, and even in drinking water. Tauw GmbH is an environmental company which recognizes that design of strategies for treatment of water resources requires solid knowledge leading to new methods and approaches to trap pharmaceutical components in water treatment systems and in the sediments of lakes and rivers. Tauw GmbH does not have in-house resources to undertake the body of research required to set and develop. It has stimulated the REMEDI EID action, jointly with Politecnico di Milano and University of Warwick, to address these issues. Trapping of CMA involves the application of iron(Fe)- containing by-products from drinking water treatment. REMEDI implements a circular economy concept and aims at recovering the retained X-ray Contrast Media agents in water treatment systems and natural waters (rivers, aquifers, lakes). Novel technologies will be developed to convert CMA-loaded Fe-minerals into marketable products whose suitability will be evaluated. 5 ESR projects address these challenges with a level of interaction and synergy among academic and non-academic players leading to forming a cadre of scientists with skills apt to unravel complex environmental scenarios.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the final reporting period, the project completed laboratory, modelling and stakeholder activities, delivering integrated solutions to improve the removal, recovery and sustainable management of X-ray contrast medium agents (CMAs) in aquatic systems. Experimental work involved batch and column tests were employed to assess adsorption and desorption performance of natural and engineered porous materials. Results quantified the influence of key factors such as sorbent characteristics, pore geometry, contact time and hydraulic loading. Long-term simulations confirmed the progressive decline in filtration efficiency due to fouling and pore blockage, demonstrating the operational need for optimisation strategies and periodic maintenance. These findings provide benchmark reference values for future design and scale-up of filtration units. Modelling activities culminated in the development of a Physics-Informed Neural Network Under Uncertainty (PINN-UU), able to simulate Advection-Dispersion-Reaction processes with variable physical parameters. Simulations further characterised flow regimes in porous micromodels and membrane performance over time and helped identify conditions that improve long-term stability. These digital tools are ready for transfer to end-users as decision-support systems for monitoring, optimisation and predictive management of emerging contaminants. The project generated practical guidelines for the design of optimised porous filtration systems that increase interaction between contaminants and reactive media, helping achieve higher retention and recovery of CMAs. The work also provided results on the technical feasibility of recovery for circular-economy reuse. A survey among medical imaging professionals in participating countries revealed low awareness of CMA environmental impacts but strong interest in improved information and practical guidance. Several respondents independently identified post-exam urine collection as a realistic and implementable mitigation measure, highlighting the importance of behavioural and operational interventions in addition to engineering solutions. Results and recommendations were disseminated through scientific presentations, publications, stakeholder engagement, industrial exchanges and knowledge transfer activities. The outcomes have strong exploitation potential in industrial water treatment, environmental management, regulatory support and digital modelling, and are transferable to other emerging pharmaceutical pollutants beyond CMAs.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the final reporting period, the project completed laboratory, modelling and stakeholder activities, delivering integrated solutions to improve the removal, recovery and sustainable management of X-ray contrast medium agents (CMAs) in aquatic systems. Experimental work involved batch and column tests were employed to assess adsorption and desorption performance of natural and engineered porous materials. Results quantified the influence of key factors such as sorbent characteristics, pore geometry and contact time. Long-term simulations confirmed the progressive decline in filtration efficiency due to fouling and pore blockage, demonstrating the operational need for optimisation strategies and periodic maintenance. These findings provide benchmark reference values for future design and scale-up of filtration units. Modelling activities culminated in the development of a Physics-Informed Neural Network Under Uncertainty (PINN-UU), able to simulate Advection-Dispersion-Reaction processes with variable physical parameters. Simulations further characterised flow regimes in porous micromodels and membrane performance over time and helped identify conditions that improve long-term stability. These digital tools are ready for transfer to end-users as decision-support systems for monitoring, optimisation and predictive management of emerging contaminants. The project generated practical guidelines for the design of optimised porous filtration systems that increase interaction between contaminants and reactive media, helping achieve higher retention and recovery of CMAs. The work also provided results on the technical feasibility of recovery for circular-economy reuse. A survey among medical imaging professionals in participating countries revealed low awareness of CMA environmental impacts but strong interest in improved information and practical guidance. Several respondents independently identified post-exam urine collection as a realistic and implementable mitigation measure, highlighting the importance of behavioural and operational interventions in addition to engineering solutions. Results and recommendations were disseminated through scientific presentations, publications, stakeholder engagement, industrial exchanges and knowledge transfer activities. The outcomes have strong exploitation potential in industrial water treatment, environmental management, regulatory support and digital modelling, and are transferable to other emerging pharmaceutical pollutants beyond CMAs.

REMEDI graphical abstract