Elimination of sulfamethoxazole in constructed wetlands with different electrochemical stimulations: Synergistic mechanisms and transformation pathways.
AI summary
75% confidenceThis MFC study investigates Antibiotic resistance gene, Constructed wetlands, Ecological risk. The research focuses on system optimization and characterization.
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Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are recognized as sustainable wastewater treatment systems. However, their efficiency in removing emerging contaminants such as antibiotics is restricted owing to inherent redox stratification and limited oxygen availability. Electrochemical technologies can effectively enhance antibiotic degradation via an optimized redox environment and increased electron transfer capacity. Nevertheless, the degradation mechanisms and pathways of antibiotics in different electrochemical CWs remain unclear. This study systematically compared the sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal performance of three electrochemical CWs: microbial fuel cell CW (MFC-CW), micro-electrolysis CW (ME-CW), and electrolytic cell CW (EC-CW). Results demonstrated that SMX removal efficiency in electrochemical CWs increased by 18.6 %-33.4 % due to the synergistic effects of electrochemical oxidation, hydroxyl radical (·OH) oxidation, and microbial degradation. Notably, EC-CW showed a 33.4 % increase in the SMX removal efficiency and a 24.5 % decrease in antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance. Further, it promoted the formation of low-toxicity transformation products, mitigating potential ecological risks. Direct current stimulation selectively enriched SMX-degrading bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria) and non-ARG-associated microbial communities (e.g., Pseudomonas), effectively enhancing the microbial degradation process (which contributed 36.8 % to SMX degradation). This study provides a scalable and sustainable strategy for treating emerging contaminants in CWs.