Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Wastewater by Ultrasound/Electric Field/Sodium Persulfate (US/E/PS)

Abstract

Ciprofloxacin (CIP), as a common antibiotic used in human clinical and livestock farming, is discharged into natural water bodies and its concentration has increased in the last years. Its stable chemical structure is difficult to remove by conventional techniques. Residual ciprofloxacin in the environment has become an emerging micropollutant that promotes the generation of resistance genes of bacteria and endangers ecosystem balance and human health. Removal of ciprofloxacin from water by the system of ultrasound/electric field/sodium persulfate (US/E/PS) was investigated. Firstly, CIP degradation affects by different oxidation methods, such as ultrasonic oxidation, electro-oxidation, and persulfate oxidation, and their four combined oxidation methods (ultrasound-activated persulfate oxidation, electro-activated persulfate oxidation, ultrasound-enhanced electro-oxidation, and ultrasound-enhanced electro-activated persulfate oxidation), on the target contaminants were compared. Secondly, the influences of parameters on the CIP degradation by an ultrasound-enhanced electro-activation-persulfate reaction system were investigated. Thirdly, the possible free radical species in the ultrasound-enhanced electro-activation-sulfate reaction system were identified and the dominant free radical species in the system were analyzed. Finally, the samples of CIP in the US/E/PS system were tested by liquid mass spectrometry, and the possible intermediate products and degradation path were speculated. The results indicate that the US/E/PS system is of great potential application value in the removal of organic pollution and environmental purification.

Equilibrium isotherm investigation on the sequestration of ciprofloxacin from solution via adsorption onto yam peel powder

“…In addition, pharmaceutical and medical wastewaters contain high biological oxygen demand and high antibiotic content [5]. Thus, undegraded antibiuotics are discharged into the environment from the effluents and improper disposal of expired antibiotics also leads to water pollution [6,7]. These antibiotics in environment bodies result in undesirable water properties such as color, odor, and microbial resistance [8,9].…”

“…Besides, aquatic lives are endangered, and essential microorganisms desirable for water treatment can be destroyed as a result of the persistent presence of antibiotics in environmental waters [1]. A new class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones was introduced in the 1970s with the advantages of affordable price, convenient use, minimal side effects and toxicity, and a broad antibacterial spectrum [7].…”

“…Its excess use by humans has resulted in its persistent presence in the environment resulting in drug resistance by pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, it enhances the creation of resistant genes and the growth of resistant genes accelerates high reproduction of resistant bacteria resulting in secondary toxicity to ecological systems and human health [7]. Besides, ciprofloxacin can lead to gastric cancer in humans by interfering with the digestive system.…”

“…Several technologies and methods have been applied for the removal of ciprofloxacin antibiotics from water such as adsorption, precipitation, oxidation, ozonation, photocatalytic degradation, ultrasonic degradation, membrane filtration, flocculation, biodegradation, and nanofiltration [7,16]. However, most of these methods are limited in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and are complex in operation [1,17].…”