Occurrence and Transport Modelling of Chloroquine in Riverine Environment

The use of chloroquine (CQ) for the treatment of malaria has gained attention in recent years due to its presence in aquatic environments and the potential environmental threats associated with its persistence. CQ is a commonly prescribed medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its presence in river water has been reported. CQ enters into river systems through various pathways such as improper disposal of unused medication, excretion from medically treated individuals, and wastewater discharges from hospitals and pharmaceutical industries. Contamination of river water with CQ raises environmental concerns due to its impact on aquatic ecosystems and its potential threats to human health through drinking water supplies. This chapter provides an outline of the occurrence of CQ in the riverine environment and an in-depth review of all possible transport modelling methods. Transport modelling techniques offer insights into the behaviour and flow of CQ in river systems helping to guide pollution control efforts. Various mathematical models, viz. GREAT-ER, SWAT, WASP Model, and geographical information system (GIS)-based model, have been discussed in the current study. To the best of our knowledge, to date, there are no studies reported on modelling CQ transport in the riverine environment. This review compiles 45 research articles specifically related to models such as fate and transport, hydrodynamic, and GIS-based models used for the modelling of various chemical and emerging contaminants. These models help to identify potential hot spots of contamination and risk assessment to downstream communities. This review provides a new insight into the current knowledge, gaps, and future research needs on possible models which can be used to assess the fate and transport of CQ in the riverine environment.