Sorption Behavior and Sunlight-Driven Photolysis of Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals (Efavirenz, Fluoxetine, and Sitagliptin) in Aqueous Environments
Location
Bent Corridor, Science Center
Document Type
Poster - Oberlin Community Only
Start Date
5-1-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
5-1-2026 2:00 PM
Research Program
Oberlin (Bio)Chemistry Summer Research
Abstract
Fluorinated compounds are of increasing concern in natural bodies of water due to their high stability and persistence. One of the major pathways through which they enter the surface water environment is through prescribed pharmaceuticals. Fluorinated pharmaceuticals can be removed from surface water through degradation driven by sunlight, but the exact mechanisms and rates are not well understood. Furthermore, we suspect that photodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceuticals leads to the production of persistent transformation products such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Additionally, in water treatment plants, sorbents can be used to remove similar contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but the efficacy of this strategy in removing fluorinated pharmaceuticals is unknown. We simulated both photochemical and sorption processes in the laboratory to understand the fate and transport of three fluorinated pharmaceuticals (efavirenz, fluoxetine, and sitagliptin) in aqueous environments. From our data, we are able to better predict the impacts of fluorinated pharmaceuticals on natural and built environments.
Keywords:
Environmental chemistry, Pollutants, Pharmaceuticals, Water quality
Recommended Citation
Satterfield, Taylor; Taylor, Samantha; Vigsnes, Ingrid; Cohen, Julia; Romero, Miguel; and Bowers, Bailey, "Sorption Behavior and Sunlight-Driven Photolysis of Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals (Efavirenz, Fluoxetine, and Sitagliptin) in Aqueous Environments" (2026). Research Symposium. 40.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2026/posters/40
Major
3-2 Engineering
Project Mentor(s)
Bailey Bowers, Chemistry and Biochemistry
2026
Sorption Behavior and Sunlight-Driven Photolysis of Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals (Efavirenz, Fluoxetine, and Sitagliptin) in Aqueous Environments
Bent Corridor, Science Center
Fluorinated compounds are of increasing concern in natural bodies of water due to their high stability and persistence. One of the major pathways through which they enter the surface water environment is through prescribed pharmaceuticals. Fluorinated pharmaceuticals can be removed from surface water through degradation driven by sunlight, but the exact mechanisms and rates are not well understood. Furthermore, we suspect that photodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceuticals leads to the production of persistent transformation products such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Additionally, in water treatment plants, sorbents can be used to remove similar contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but the efficacy of this strategy in removing fluorinated pharmaceuticals is unknown. We simulated both photochemical and sorption processes in the laboratory to understand the fate and transport of three fluorinated pharmaceuticals (efavirenz, fluoxetine, and sitagliptin) in aqueous environments. From our data, we are able to better predict the impacts of fluorinated pharmaceuticals on natural and built environments.
Notes
Presenters: Taylor Satterfield, Samantha Taylor, and Ingrid Vigsnes
Access to the poster is available to Oberlin College users only.