Fenton-like process in antibiotic-containing wastewater treatment: Applications and toxicity evaluation
Jingyi Yang, Sihan Wang, Xubiao Luo, Zhenyang Yu, Yanbo Zhou
Abstract
Antibiotic-contaminated wastewater poses a global threat to aquatic ecosystems. Fenton-like oxidative processes effectively decompose recalcitrant pollutants. While these oxidative processes effectively break down target contaminants, they may also produce uncontrolled intermediates, potentially resulting in unexpected combined toxicities. This review explores the chemical mechanisms behind Fenton-like reactions, particularly in antibiotic removal, and evaluates the formation of byproducts and their potential toxicological effects. Furthermore, recommendations for optimizing catalyst design and treatment conditions are provided to enhance degradation performance while minimizing ecological risks. This study highlights critical concerns regarding the toxicity of degradation byproducts and their impact on ecosystems by integrating chemical and biological risk assessments. By integrating chemical and biological risk assessments with computational toxicology, particularly quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, this study proposes a comprehensive approach to evaluate degradation and toxicity. This work highlights the importance of a comprehensive framework for evaluating degradation efficiency and toxicity, contributing to safer and more effective antibiotic wastewater treatment strategies. The findings underscore the importance of balancing degradation efficiency with environmental safety in wastewater treatment processes involving advanced oxidative technologies.