Antibiotics in wastewater: From its occurrence to the biological removal by environmentally conscious technologies

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2021-04, Vol.275, p.116603, Article 116603
• Main Authors: Langbehn, Rayane Kunert, Michels, Camila, Soares, Hugo Moreira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biodegradation; Emerging pollutants; Metabolite; Mineralization; Process parameter; Sewage; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Purification
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116603

In this critical review, we explored the most recent advances about the fate of antibiotics on biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Although the occurrence of these pollutants in wastewater and natural streams has been investigated previously, some recent publications still expose the need to improve the detection strategies and the lack of information about their transformation products. The role of the antibiotic properties and the process operating conditions were also analyzed. The pieces of evidence in the literature associate several molecular properties to the antibiotic removal pathway, like hydrophobicity, chemical structure, and electrostatic interactions. Nonetheless, the influence of operating conditions is still unclear, and solid retention time stands out as a key factor. Additionally, the efficiencies and pathways of antibiotic removals on conventional (activated sludge, membrane bioreactor, anaerobic digestion, and nitrogen removal) and emerging bioprocesses (bioelectrochemical systems, fungi, and enzymes) were assessed, and our concern about potential research gaps was raised. The combination of different bioprocess can efficiently mitigate the impacts generated by these pollutants. Thus, to plan and design a process to remove and mineralize antibiotics from wastewater, all aspects must be addressed, the pollutant and process characteristics and how it is the best way to operate it to reduce the impact of antibiotics in the environment. [Display omitted] •SRT is the main operating condition to remove antibiotic.•BES and enzymatic processes arise as promising technologies to treat antibiotics.•New bioprocesses can control the ARG release, but its removal is still a challenge.•The integration of biological process seems to improve antibiotic degradation. This review approaches the main aspects that influence antibiotic degradation by bioprocesses and assess how those processes affect their removal.