Removal Processes of Antibiotics in Waters and Wastewaters: Crucial Link to Physical-Chemical Properties and Degradation

Abstract

The presence of antibiotic residues in the environment is an emerging pollution issue due to their uninterrupted and unrestrained release into the environment and their harmful effects even at low concentrations. The occurrence and fate of these trace contaminants during wastewater treatment are key issues in the recycling of water resources. One of the major concerns is the presence of antibiotics in drinking water subsequent to wastewater treatment. Several processes have been adopted to degrade or eliminate antibiotics efficiently. This paper provides an insight on efficacy of various advanced oxidation processes for the removal of antibiotics and its crucial link to their physical-chemical properties and degradation.