Research: Kis-Balaton filters some of the pharmaceutical residues in front of Lake Balaton

A total of 41 different compounds were identified in the area of ​​the system and in the inflow and outflow waters, which were divided into ten categories were listed. The substances detected mainly included cardiovascular preparations, hormones and anxiolytics, while opioids, local anesthetics and some antidepressants were typical in terms of frequency of occurrence.

The load can be considered medium in the international field, which may be related to the demographic characteristics and medical tourism nature of the region. The main sources of pollution are the Zala River and the Kiskomárom Canal, while in the background the thermal baths of the watershed and the purified wastewater arriving from the Zala may also play a role. According to the research, more than half of the active pharmaceutical ingredients entering the KBVR were no longer detectable in the water flowing out of the system and reaching Lake Balaton, while a periodic increase in concentration was also measured for some hormones, antiepileptic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, presumably due to their release from sediment. According to the authors, with proper operation, Kis-Balaton can play a meaningful protective role in reducing micropollutants in the long term.