Dive Brief:

• Aeration treatment might be effective in removing serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) from landfill leachate before they reach the environment. The SSRIs are commonly used as antidepressants. 
• SSRIs, when excreted by the human body, can end up in municipal sewage systems and landfill leachate. If that enters the groundwater, the drug compounds can be released into the environment and negatively affect other living organisms.
• Norwegian researchers testing aeration — which is used to purify the liquid in a pond or lagoon before it is released into the environment — were able to reduce the concentration of five SSRIs by more than 80% over five days. 

Dive Insight:

The results of such studies could help more sophisticated water treatment systems to prevent the negative environmental impact of pharmaceutical pollution, Environmental Leader reported.

While the effects of pharmaceutical pollution aren't fully known, action should be taken to prevent it.