Biodegradation, photolysis, and sorption of antibiotics in aquatic environments: A scoping review

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-11, Vol.897, p.165301-165301, Article 165301
• Main Authors: Bueno, Irene, He, Huan, Kinsley, Amy C., Ziemann, Sarah J., Degn, Lauren R., Nault, André J., Beaudoin, Amanda L., Singer, Randall S., Wammer, Kristine H., Arnold, William A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotic; Aquatic environment; Biodegradation; Photolysis; Scoping review; Sorption
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165301

The presence of antibiotics in surface waters is a potential driver of antibiotic resistance and thus of concern to human and environmental health. Key factors driving the potential impact of antibiotics are their persistence and transport in rivers and lakes. The goal of this study was to describe the peer-reviewed published literature on the photolysis (direct and indirect), sorption, and biodegradation of a selected group of antibiotic compounds following a scoping review methodology. Primary research from 2000 to 2021 was surveyed to compile information on these processes for 25 antibiotics from 6 classes. After compilation and assessment of the available parameters, the results indicate that information is present to predict the rates of direct photolysis and reaction with hydroxyl radical (an indirect photolysis process) for most of the selected antibiotics. There is insufficient or inconsistent information for including other indirect photolysis processes, biodegradation, or removal via sorption to settling particles for most of the targeted antibiotic compounds. Future research should focus on collecting fundamental parameters such as quantum yields, second-order rate constants, normalized biodegradation rates, and organic carbon or surface area normalized sorption coefficients rather than pseudo-first order rate constants or sorption equilibrium constants that apply only to specific conditions/sites. [Display omitted] •Quantitative information about antibiotic fate was assessed via a scoping review.•Data for direct photolysis and reaction with hydroxyl radical is robust.•There is limited data regarding biodegradation of antibiotics in aquatic systems.•Reported sorption equilibrium constants are often not normalized to organic carbon content.•Fundamental, generalizable data needed for robust models is limited.