Algae-mediated antibiotic wastewater treatment: A critical review

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Abstract

<p class="first" id="d6151837e153">The existence of continually increasing concentrations of antibiotics in the environment is a serious potential hazard due to their toxicity and persistence. Unfortunately, conventional treatment techniques, such as those utilized in wastewater treatment plants, are not efficient for the treatment of wastewater containing antibiotic. Recently, algae-based technologies have been found to be a sustainable and promising technique for antibiotic removal. Therefore, this review aims to provide a critical summary of algae-based technologies and their important role in antibiotic wastewater treatment. Algal removal mechanisms including bioadsorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation are discussed in detail, with using algae-bacteria consortia for antibiotic treatment, integration of algae with other microorganisms (fungi and multiple algal species), hybrid algae-based treatment and constructed wetlands, and the factors affecting algal antibiotic degradation comprehensively described and assessed. In addition, the use of algae as a precursor for the production of biochar is highlighted, along with the modification of biochar with other materials to improve its antibiotic removal capacity and hybrid algae-based treatment with advanced oxidation processes. Furthermore, recent novel approaches for enhancing antibiotic removal, such as the use of genetic engineering to enhance the antibiotic degradation capacity of algae and the integration of algal antibiotic removal with bioelectrochemical systems are discussed. Finally, some based on the critical review, key future research perspectives are proposed. Overall, this review systematically presents the current progress in algae-mediated antibiotic removal technologies, providing some novel insights for improved alleviation of antibiotic pollution in aquatic environments. </p><p id="d6151837e158"> <div class="fig panel" id="undfig1"> <a class="named-anchor" id="undfig1">  </a> <div class="figure-container so-text-align-c"> <img alt="" class="figure" src="/document_file/b80a5195-cbe7-437b-9a76-12fefec31946/PubMedCentral/image/ga1"/> </div> <div class="panel-content"/> </div> </p><p id="d6151837e166"> <div class="list"> <a class="named-anchor" id="ulist0010">  </a> <ul class="so-custom-list" style="list-style-type: none"> <li id="u0010"> <div class="so-custom-list-label so-ol">•</div> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p id="p0010">Critical review of algae-mediated antibiotic wastewater treatment methods.</p> </div> </li> <li id="u0015"> <div class="so-custom-list-label so-ol">•</div> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p id="p0015">Biodegradation by algae is an efficient mechanism for antibiotic degradation.</p> </div> </li> <li id="u0020"> <div class="so-custom-list-label so-ol">•</div> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p id="p0020">The pH is a key factor affecting the interaction between antibiotics and algae.</p> </div> </li> <li id="u0025"> <div class="so-custom-list-label so-ol">•</div> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p id="p0025">The current research process and main challenges are discussed.</p> </div> </li> <li id="u0030"> <div class="so-custom-list-label so-ol">•</div> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p id="p0030">Future research directions are proposed based on the current gaps in knowledge.</p> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </p>

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Global increase and geographic convergence in antibiotic consumption between 2000 and 2015

Eili Klein, Thomas P Van Boeckel, Elena M Martinez … (2018)

Significance Antibiotic resistance, driven by antibiotic consumption, is a growing global health threat. Our report on antibiotic use in 76 countries over 16 years provides an up-to-date comprehensive assessment of global trends in antibiotic consumption. We find that the antibiotic consumption rate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been converging to (and in some countries surpassing) levels typically observed in high-income countries. However, inequities in drug access persist, as many LMICs continue to be burdened with high rates of infectious disease-related mortality and low rates of antibiotic consumption. Our findings emphasize the need for global surveillance of antibiotic consumption to support policies to reduce antibiotic consumption and resistance while providing access to these lifesaving drugs.

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Tackling antibiotic resistance: the environmental framework.

Thomas Berendonk, Célia M Manaia, Christophe Merlin … (2015)

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to human and animal health worldwide, and key measures are required to reduce the risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes that occur in the environment. These measures include the identification of critical points of control, the development of reliable surveillance and risk assessment procedures, and the implementation of technological solutions that can prevent environmental contamination with antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes. In this Opinion article, we discuss the main knowledge gaps, the future research needs and the policy and management options that should be prioritized to tackle antibiotic resistance in the environment.

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Adsorptive removal of antibiotics from water and wastewater: Progress and challenges.

Mohammad Boshir Ahmed, John L Zhou, Huu Hao Ngo … (2015)

Antibiotics as emerging contaminants are of global concern due to the development of antibiotic resistant genes potentially causing superbugs. Current wastewater treatment technology cannot sufficiently remove antibiotics from sewage, hence new and low-cost technology is needed. Adsorptive materials have been extensively used for the conditioning, remediation and removal of inorganic and organic hazardous materials, although their application for removing antibiotics has been reported for ~30 out of 250 antibiotics so far. The literature on the adsorptive removal of antibiotics using different adsorptive materials is summarized and critically reviewed, by comparing different adsorbents with varying physicochemical characteristics. The efficiency for removing antibiotics from water and wastewater by different adsorbents has been evaluated by examining their adsorption coefficient (Kd) values. For sulfamethoxazole the different adsorbents followed the trend: biochar (BC)> multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)>graphite = clay minerals, and for tetracycline the adsorptive materials followed the trend: SWCNT > graphite > MWCNT = activated carbon (AC) > bentonite = humic substance = clay minerals. The underlying controlling parameters for the adsorption technology have been examined. In addition, the cost of preparing adsorbents has been estimated, which followed the order of BCs < ACs < ion exchange resins < MWCNTs < SWCNTs. The future research challenges on process integration, production and modification of low-cost adsorbents are elaborated.