Current Natural Degradation and Artificial Intervention Removal Techniques for Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review
Jing Ji, Haoqing Li, Shejiang Liu
Abstract
The extensive use of antibiotics as essential medications in contemporary healthcare has resulted in significant amounts of these drugs entering the environment, both in original and metabolic forms, which presents serious ecological and health hazards. This paper examines the natural processes that break down antibiotics in water, including photolysis, hydrolysis, and biodegradation. It also discusses advancements in artificial degradation technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), physicochemical methods, ionizing radiation degradation, artificial wetland technology, microalgae technology, microbial electrochemical systems, and innovative catalysts. While current technologies demonstrate promising potential for use, they encounter challenges related to the catalyst stability, cost, and ecological safety. Future research should focus on optimizing degradation methods and creating efficient, sustainable multi-technology systems, such as the photocatalysis–membrane filtration coupling system; the ultrasound–Fenton–artificial wetland synergistic system; the electrochemical–biodegradation combined system; and the microbial fuel cell (MFC)–photocatalysis synergistic system, to tackle the complexities of antibiotic pollution in the environment.