What are antibiotic pollutants in wastewater treatment?
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Janani
7/21/20251 min read
Antibiotic pollutants in wastewater refer to residues of antibiotic compounds that enter water systems through various sources and remain in the environment, potentially causing ecological and health concerns. These pollutants are a major part of the broader category of pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) pollutants.
Sources of Antibiotic Pollutants in Wastewater
Human Use:
Excreted unmetabolized antibiotics from patients after medical treatment.
Disposal of unused or expired medications down the toilet or sink.
Animal Agriculture:
Antibiotics are used in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
Manure runoff from farms into water bodies.
Pharmaceutical Industry:
Discharge of wastewater from drug manufacturing facilities.
Hospitals and Clinics:
High concentrations from intensive medical use.
Common Antibiotics Found in Wastewater
Tetracyclines
Sulfonamides
Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin)
Macrolides (e.g., erythromycin)
Beta-lactams (e.g., amoxicillin)
Why Are They a Problem?
Antibiotic Resistance:
Low concentrations in the environment can still promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).
📊 Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance
Ecotoxicity:
Antibiotics can harm aquatic organisms, especially microorganisms essential for nutrient cycling.
Bioaccumulation:
Some antibiotics persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.
Disruption of Wastewater Treatment:
Antibiotics can inhibit microbial activity in biological wastewater treatment systems.
Removal Techniques in Wastewater Treatment
Standard treatment plants do not fully remove antibiotics. Advanced methods include:
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)
(e.g., ozonation, UV/H₂O₂)
Activated carbon adsorption
Membrane filtration (e.g., reverse osmosis)
Constructed wetlands
Biodegradation using specialised microbes