Selena Cao, “Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Water Using Modified Natural Porous Material”
Mentor: Marcia Silva, Global Water Center

Many types of common antibiotics find their way into water, in both natural and municipal settings. Sources of this contamination include human waste, and flushing unused medication down the toilet. Ciprofloxacin is one such common antibiotic, prescribed for treating a wide range of bacterial infections. Due to the nature of antibiotics, low concentrations can still have adverse environmental impacts. Ciprofloxacin can remain active in water and soil. Antibiotic pollution is known to have consequences ranging from developing antibiotic resistant bacteria, to harming soil microorganisms. Natural porous material was modified with a carbon-based coating and doped. The purpose of this research was to understand how temperature, pH, and salt content affect the modified natural porous material’s adsorption of Ciprofloxacin.