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Gahrouei AE, Vakili S, Zandifar A, Pourebrahimi S. From wastewater to clean water: Recent advances on the removal of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole antibiotics from water through adsorption and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119029. [PMID: 38685299 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics released into water sources pose significant risks to both human health and the environment. This comprehensive review meticulously examines the ecotoxicological impacts of three prevalent antibiotics-ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and sulfamethoxazole-on the ecosystems. Within this framework, our primary focus revolves around the key remediation technologies: adsorption and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). In this context, an array of adsorbents is explored, spanning diverse classes such as biomass-derived biosorbents, graphene-based adsorbents, MXene-based adsorbents, silica gels, carbon nanotubes, carbon-based adsorbents, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon nanofibers, biochar, metal oxides, and nanocomposites. On the flip side, the review meticulously examines the main AOPs widely employed in water treatment. This includes a thorough analysis of ozonation (O3), the photo-Fenton process, UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2), TiO2 photocatalysis, ozone/UV (O3/UV), radiation-induced AOPs, and sonolysis. Furthermore, the review provides in-depth insights into equilibrium isotherm and kinetic models as well as prospects and challenges inherent in these cutting-edge processes. By doing so, this review aims to empower readers with a profound understanding, enabling them to determine research gaps and pioneer innovative treatment methodologies for water contaminated with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Erfani Gahrouei
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sajjad Vakili
- Chemical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Zandifar
- Chemical Engineering Department, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Sina Pourebrahimi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada.
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Haider MIS, Liu G, Yousaf B, Arif M, Aziz K, Ashraf A, Safeer R, Ijaz S, Pikon K. Synergistic interactions and reaction mechanisms of biochar surface functionalities in antibiotics removal from industrial wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124365. [PMID: 38871166 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Biochar, a carbon-rich material with a unique surface chemistry (high abundance of surface functional groups, large surface area, and well-distributed), has shown great potential as a sustainable solution for industrial wastewater treatment as compared to conventional industrial wastewater treatment techniques demand substantial energy consumption and generate detrimental byproducts. This critical review emphasizes the surface functionalities formation and development in biochar to enhance its physiochemical properties, for utilization in antibiotics removal. Factors affecting the formation of functionalities, including carbonization processes, feedstock materials, operating parameters, and the influence of pre-post treatments, are thoroughly highlighted to understand the crucial role of factors influencing biochar properties for optimal antibiotics removal. Furthermore, the research explores the removal mechanisms and interactions of biochar-based surface functionalities, hydrogen bonding, encompassing electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, π-π interactions, and electron donor and acceptor interactions, to provide insights into the adsorption/removal behavior of antibiotics on biochar surfaces. The review also explains the mechanism of factors influencing the removal of antibiotics in industrial wastewater treatment, including particle size and pore structure, nature and types of surface functional groups, pH and surface charge, temperature, surface modification strategies, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, biochar dose, pollutant concentration, contact time, and the presence of coexisting ions and other substances. Finally, the study offers reusability and regeneration, challenges and future perspectives on the development of biochar-based adsorbents and their applications in addressing antibiotics. It concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the significance of biochar as a sustainable and effective solution for mitigating antibiotics contamination in industrial wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irtaza Sajjad Haider
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
| | - Guijian Liu
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China.
| | - Balal Yousaf
- Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44 -100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Kiran Aziz
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China; Department of Botany, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Aniqa Ashraf
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
| | - Rabia Safeer
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
| | - Samra Ijaz
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
| | - Krzysztof Pikon
- Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44 -100, Gliwice, Poland
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Wang B, Xu Z, Dong B. Occurrence, fate, and ecological risk of antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants in China: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133925. [PMID: 38432096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This review offers a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, fate, and ecological risk associated with six major categories of antibiotics found in influent, effluent, and sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China. Further exploration includes examining the correlation between antibiotic residual rates in the effluents and process parameters of urban WWTPs across the country. Lastly, a nationwide and urban cluster-specific evaluation of the ecological risk posed by antibiotics in WWTPs is conducted. The findings reveal that the average concentrations of antibiotics in influent, effluent, and sludge from urban WWTPs in China are 786.2 ng/L, 311.2 ng/L, and 186.8 μg/kg, respectively. Among the detected antibiotics, 42% exhibit moderate to high ecological risk in the effluent, with ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, azithromycin, and tetracycline posing moderate to high ecological risks in sludge. The current biological treatment processes in WWTPs demonstrate inefficacy in removing antibiotics. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop and integrate innovative technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes. This review aims to offer a more comprehensive understanding and identify priority antibiotics for control to effectively manage antibiotic pollution within WWTPs at both national and regional levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zuxin Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Bin Dong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Zhang G, Zhang C, Liu J, Zhang Y, Fu W. Occurrence, fate, and risk assessment of antibiotics in conventional and advanced drinking water treatment systems: From source to tap. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120746. [PMID: 38593734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence and removal of 38 antibiotics from nine classes in two drinking water treatment plants (WTPs) were monitored monthly over one year to evaluate the efficiency of typical treatment processes, track the source of antibiotics in tap water and assess their potential risks to ecosystem and human health. In both source waters, 18 antibiotics were detected at least once, with average total antibiotic concentrations of 538.5 ng/L in WTP1 and 569.3 ng/L in WTP2. The coagulation/flocculation and sedimentation, sand filtration and granular activated carbon processes demonstrated limited removal efficiencies. Chlorination, on the other hand, effectively eliminated antibiotics by 48.7 ± 11.9%. Interestingly, negative removal was observed along the distribution system, resulting in a significant antibiotic presence in tap water, with average concentrations of 131.5 ng/L in WTP1 and 362.8 ng/L in WTP2. Source tracking analysis indicates that most antibiotics in tap water may originate from distribution system. The presence of antibiotics in raw water and tap water posed risks to the aquatic ecosystem. Untreated or partially treated raw water could pose a medium risk to infants under six months. Water parameters, for example, temperature, total nitrogen and total organic carbon, can serve as indicators to estimate antibiotic occurrence and associated risks. Furthermore, machine learning models were developed that successfully predicted risk levels using water quality parameters. Our study provides valuable insights into the occurrence, removal and risk of antibiotics in urban WTPs, contributing to the broader understanding of antibiotic pollution in water treatment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, 541004, Guilin, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China.
| | - Yixiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, 541004, Guilin, China.
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Zhang Y, Hu Y, Li X, Gao L, Wang S, Jia S, Shi P, Li A. Prevalence of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, and their associations in municipal wastewater treatment plants along the Yangtze River basin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123800. [PMID: 38518970 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have resulted in the pollution of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), posing threats to ecological security and human health. Thus, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to assess the occurrence, removal efficiency, and ecological risk of antibiotics, along with the diversity, abundance, and co-occurrence of ARGs, and their correlations in 13 WWTPs along the Yangtze River Basin. Among 35 target antibiotics, 23 antibiotics within 6 categories were detected in all the samples. Amoxicillin (AMO), ofloxacin (OFL), and pefloxacin (PEF) were predominant in influents, while AMO exhibited dominance with the highest concentration of 1409 ng/L in effluents. Although antibiotic removal performance varied among different WWTPs, a significant decrease in each antibiotic category and overall antibiotics was observed in effluents compared with that in influents (p < 0.05). Remarkably, ecological risk assessment revealed high risks associated with AMO and ciprofloxacin (CIP) and medium risks linked to several antibiotics, notably including OFL, roxithromycin (ROX), clarithromycin (CLA), and tetracycline (TC). Furthermore, 96 ARG subtypes within 12 resistance types were detected in this study, and the total absolute abundance and diversity of ARGs were significantly decreased from influents to effluents (p < 0.05). Enrichment of 38 ARGs (e.g., blaNDM, ermA, vatA, mexA, and dfrA25) in effluents indicated potential health risks. Various mobile genetic elements (MGEs), exhibited significant correlations with a majority of ARGs in both influents and effluents, such as intⅠ1, tnpA1, tnpA5, and tp614, underscoring the important role of MGEs in contributing to the ARG dissemination. Many antibiotics displayed lower correlations with corresponding ARGs, but exhibited higher correlations with other ARGs, suggesting complex selective pressures influencing ARG propagation. Overall, the incomplete elimination of antibiotics and ARGs in WWTPs is likely to pose adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems in the Yangtze River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yifan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiuwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Linjun Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shuya Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shuyu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Peng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Aimin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Wroński M, Trawiński J, Skibiński R. Antifungal drugs in the aquatic environment: A review on sources, occurrence, toxicity, health effects, removal strategies and future challenges. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133167. [PMID: 38064946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections pose a significant global health burden, resulting in millions of severe cases and deaths annually. The escalating demand for effective antifungal treatments has led to a rise in the wholesale distribution of antifungal drugs, which consequently has led to their release into the environment, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the presence and distribution of antifungal drugs in the environment, evaluate their potential ecological and health risks, and assess current methods for their removal. Reviewed studies from 2010 to 2023 period have revealed the widespread occurrence of 19 various antifungals in natural waters and other matrices at alarmingly high concentrations. Due to the inefficiency of conventional water treatment in removing these compounds, advanced oxidation processes, membrane filtration, and adsorption techniques have been developed as promising decontamination methods.In conclusion, this review emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the presence, fate, and removal of antifungal drugs in the environment. By addressing the current knowledge gaps and exploring future prospects, this study contributes to the development of strategies for mitigating the environmental impact of antifungal drugs and protecting ecosystems and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Wroński
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Trawiński
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Skibiński
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
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Wu K, Cui K, Huang Y, Yu K, Chen X, Li CX, Chen Y. Degree of human activity exert differentiated influence on conventional and emerging pollutants in drinking water source. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:7214-7226. [PMID: 38157162 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31440-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollution poses a significant threat to drinking water sources worldwide. Previous studies have focused on the occurrence of pollutants in drinking water sources, but the impact of human activities on different types of pollutants in drinking water sources is still unclear. In this study, we chose the upper reaches of the Dongjiang River (URDR) as a case study to investigate the distribution characteristics of conventional pollutants, pesticides, and antibiotics along the gradient of human intervention. Our findings reveal that human activities can effect both conventional pollutants and emerging pollutants in the URDR to varying degrees. The escalation of human activities correlates with a rising trend in conventional pollutants, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Notably, only C1 (terrestrial humus) in dissolved organic matter (DOM) exhibits this increasing pattern. Pesticide and antibiotic concentrations are highest in areas with moderate and high levels of human activity, respectively, and the degree of eutrophication of drinking water closely follows the gradient of human activity. Our results also indicate that most pesticides pose a significant risk in the URDR, particularly pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs). Out of all antibiotics, only Norfloxacin (NFX) and Penicillin G (PENG) are classified as high-risk, with NFX exhibiting significant variation across different degrees of human activity. C1 and TP were the most important factors affecting the distribution of organophosphorus (OPPs) and PYRs, respectively. In conclusion, varying degrees of human activity exert differentiated influences on conventional and emerging pollutants in drinking water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Kangping Cui
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Yuansheng Huang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Kaifeng Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Key Lab of Aerospace Structural Parts Forming Technology and Equipment of Anhui Province, Institute of Industry and Equipment Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Chen-Xuan Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Yihan Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China.
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Mishra S, Singh AK, Cheng L, Hussain A, Maiti A. Occurrence of antibiotics in wastewater: Potential ecological risk and removal through anaerobic-aerobic systems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 226:115678. [PMID: 36921787 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics are intensively used to improve public health, prevent diseases and enhance productivity in animal farms. Contrarily, when released, the antibiotics laden wastewater produced from pharmaceutical industries and their application sources poses a potential ecological risk to the environment. This study provides a discussion on the occurrence of various antibiotics in wastewater and their potential ecological risk in the environment. Further, a critical review of anaerobic-aerobic processes based on three major systems (such as constructed wetland, high-rate bioreactor, and integrated treatment technologies) applied for antibiotics removal from wastewater is performed. The review also explores microbial dynamics responsible for antibiotic biodegradation in anaerobic-aerobic systems and its economic feasibility at wider-scale applications. The operational problems and prospective modifications are discussed to define key future research directions. The appropriate selection of treatment processes, sources control, understanding of antibiotic fate, and adopting precise monitoring strategies could eliminate the potential ecological risks of antibiotics. Integrated bio-electrochemical systems exhibit antibiotics removal ≥95% by dominant Geobacter sp. at short HRT ∼4-10 h. Major process factors like organic loading rate, hydraulic loading rate (HRT), and solid retention time significantly affect the system performance. This review will be beneficial to the researchers by providing in-depth understanding of antibiotic pollution and its abatement via anaerobic-aerobic processes to develop sustainable wastewater treatment technology in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Mishra
- College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210098, China.
| | - Anurag Kumar Singh
- University School of Chemical Technology, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16c Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Liu Cheng
- College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210098, China.
| | - Abid Hussain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Mackenzie Building, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Abhijit Maiti
- Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Saharanpur Campus, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 247001, India
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