A review of bioelectrochemical systems for antibiotic removal: Efficient antibiotic removal and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes

•BES including MFC, MEC, and coupled system for antibiotic removal are reviewed.•Hypothesized ARGs transfer through VGT and HGT in the BES.•Elucidated role of current in antibiotic removal and fate of ARGs and ARB. Given its advantages in terms of high efficiency and low energy consumption, bioelect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of water process engineering 2020-10, Vol.37, p.101421, Article 101421
Main Authors: Zhang, Shuai, Yang, Yu-Li, Lu, Ji, Zuo, Xiao-Jun, Yang, Xiao-Li, Song, Hai-Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibiotic resistance genes
Antibiotics
Bioelectrochemical systems
Constructed wetland
Microbial electrolysis cells
Microbial fuel cells
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Summary:•BES including MFC, MEC, and coupled system for antibiotic removal are reviewed.•Hypothesized ARGs transfer through VGT and HGT in the BES.•Elucidated role of current in antibiotic removal and fate of ARGs and ARB. Given its advantages in terms of high efficiency and low energy consumption, bioelectrochemical system (BES) has been applied widely in the removal of various antibiotics from wastewater. BES avoids the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by producing less amount of sludge compared with wastewater treatment plants. However, transmembrane permeability and membrane potential can be affected by the electrical stimulation, resulting in increases in the antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in BES. Based on limited published works available, the main objective of this review is to summarize the applications of BES for antibiotic removal and the fate of ARB and ARGs in such systems. Antibiotics can be effectively removed by BES. However, low electric current promotes vertical and horizontal ARGs transfer during the treatment of antibiotics in BES. Promisingly, ARB and ARGs could be inhibited by a higher electric current. This study raises questions regarding the potential role of BES in antibiotic removal and the consequent fate of ARGs and ARB in wastewater.
ISSN:2214-7144
2214-7144
DOI:10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101421