Ecologically friendly remediation of groundwater sulfamethoxazole contamination: Biologically synergistic degradation by thermally modified activated carbon-activated peracetic acid in porous media

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-12, Vol.480, p.136216, Article 136216
• Main Authors: Li, Si, Xu, Ruizhe, Wan, Luochao, Dai, Chaomeng, Li, Jixiang, You, Xueji, Duan, Yanping, Lai, Xiaoying, Li, Zhi, Guo, Jifeng, Zhang, Yalei, Hu, Jiajun, Zhou, Lang, Huang, Xiaoyi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - metabolism; bacterial communities; Biodegradation, Environmental; biosynthesis; Charcoal - chemistry; Ecological balance; environmental impact; groundwater; Groundwater - chemistry; Groundwater remediation; Hyporheic zone; Lysobacter; Microbiota - drug effects; microorganisms; organic carbon; Peracetic acid; Peracetic Acid - chemistry; Porosity; remediation; Sulfamethoxazole; toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water Purification - methods
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136216

This study examines the efficacy and environmental impact of peracetic acid (PAA) activated by thermally modified activated carbon (AC600) for degrading antibiotics in actual groundwater. Laboratory-scale experiments evaluated the system's effects on contaminant degradation, ecological balance, and substance cycling in the hyporheic zone. Our findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the AC600/PAA system in removing sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from groundwater porous media. Additionally, the AC600/PAA system synergistically interacted with the in-situ microbiota of the hyporheic zone, producing more fragmented degradation products without increasing mixed toxicity. Bacterial abundance increased post-reaction, with notable alterations in the bacterial community and enhanced bacterial metabolism. Key genera such as Lysobacter thrived in the treated environment, playing critical roles in microbiota modification and SMX degradation. The pH remained stable before and after the reaction, while dissolved organic carbon content increased. Overall, our results highlight the promising potential of PAA activation by carbonaceous materials as a low-impact, ecologically friendly technology for in-situ remediation of organic pollutants in groundwater, characterized by high compatibility and biosynthesis. [Display omitted] ●AC600/PAA system have synergetic effect with microbiota on SMX degradation.●Low environmental impact and friendliness of the AC600/PAA system.●PAA-based AOPs, paired with in situ microbiota, yield less toxic, fragmented degradation products.●AC600/PAA system enhanced bacterial metabolism and increased microbial abundance.●AC600/PAA system provided suitable conditions for Lysobacter.