The influence of antibiotics on the anammox process — a review

Abstract

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is one of the most promising processes for the treatment of ammonium-rich wastewater. It is more effective, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than the conventional process currently in use for nitrogen removal. Unfortunately, anammox bacteria are sensitive to various substances, including heavy metals and organic matter commonly found in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Of these deleterious substances, antibiotics are recognized to be important. For decades, the increasing consumption of antibiotics has led to the increased occurrence of antibiotics in the aquatic environment, including wastewater. One of the most important issues related to antibiotic pollution is the generation and transfer of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we will discuss the effect of short- and long-term exposure of the anammox process to antibiotic pollutants; with a special focus on the activity of the anammox bacteria, biomass properties, community structures, the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and combined effect of antibiotics with other substances commonly found in wastewater. Further, the defense mechanisms according to which bacteria adapt against antibiotic stress are speculated upon. This review aims to facilitate a better understanding of the influence of antibiotics and other co-pollutants on the anammox process and to highlight future avenues of research to target gaps in the knowledge.

On-Farm Removal of Pesticides: Current Insights on Biopurification Systems

“…In this respect, antibiotics constitute one of the most interesting groups of agrochemicals for agricultural use. They encompass a handful of compounds, as only oxytetracycline and streptomycin are registered by the EPA for this purpose, although other antimicrobials like gentamicin, kasugamycin, oxolinic acid, and validamycin are also employed in different locations worldwide. , Due to their mode of action, the release of antibiotics into the environment may result in adverse effects on biological-mediated processes of ecological or anthropogenic relevance such as anaerobic digestion, decomposition of organic matter, general wastewater treatment, and several steps of biogeochemical cycles, e.g., sulfate and iron reduction and nitrification; − moreover, the implications of antibiotic environmental occurrence on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes represents a hot topic of public health concern. , Taking into account that the modes of application of antibiotics on crops mimic those of pesticides, the production of antibiotic-containing wastewater also takes place at the farm level; hence, its disposal in BPSs sounds like an appealing option. Nonetheless, as they inhibit microbial communities, antibiotics may potentially hinder the pesticide removal properties of BPSs, hypothetically contraindicating their codisposal with pesticides.…”

Degradation of doxycycline antibiotics using lanthanum copper oxide microspheres under simulated sunlight

“…When consumed, these drugs undergo partial metabolism inside the body and is excreted out through urine or faeces, ending up unaltered or as an active substance that may undergo biotransformation in wastewater treatment plant (Salimi et al 2017;Frederichi et al 2020). One of the most consumed antibiotics are tetracyclines, but, due to their extensive usage, numerous bacteria that are resistant to them are identified (Yashas et al 2020;Gamoń et al 2021). Though they are considered harmless with properties such as antimicrobial activity, cost-effective and low toxicity, they can cause various side effects which include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea (Jeong et al 2010a;Zhanel et al 2012).…”