A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Emerging technologies for enhanced removal of residual antibiotics from source-separated urine and wastewaters : A review (2022)

Imwene, K.O., Ngumba, E., & Kairigo, P.K. (2022). Emerging technologies for enhanced removal of residual antibiotics from source-separated urine and wastewaters : A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 322, Article 116065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116065

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Imwene, K.O.; Ngumba, E.; Kairigo, P.K.

Journal or series: Journal of Environmental Management

ISSN: 0301-4797

eISSN: 1095-8630

Publication year: 2022

Volume: 322

Article number: 116065

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116065

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83178

Abstract

Antibiotic residues are of significant concern in the ecosystem because of their capacity to mediate antibiotic resistance development among environmental microbes. This paper reviews recent technologies for the abatement of antibiotics from human urine and wastewaters. Antibiotics are widely distributed in the aquatic environment as a result of the discharge of municipal sewage. Their existence is a cause for worry due to the potential ecological impact (for instance, antibiotic resistance) on bacteria in the background. Numerous contaminants that enter wastewater treatment facilities and the aquatic environment, as a result, go undetected. Sludge can act as a medium for some chemicals to concentrate while being treated as wastewater. The most sewage sludge that has undergone treatment is spread on agricultural land without being properly checked for pollutants. The fate of antibiotic residues in soils is hence poorly understood. The idea of the Separation of urine at the source has recently been propagated as a measure to control the flow of pharmaceutical residues into centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). With the ever increasing acceptance of urine source separation practices, visibility and awareness on dedicated treatement technologies is needed. Human urine, as well as conventional WWTPs, are point sources of pharmaceutical micropollutants contributing to the ubiquitous detection of pharmaceutical residues in the receiving water bodies. Focused post-treatment of source-separated urine includes distillation and nitrification, ammonia stripping, and adsorption processes. Other reviewed methods include physical and biological treatment methods, advanced oxidation processes, and a host of combination treatment methods. All these are aimed at ensuring minimized risk products are returned to the environment.

Keywords: antibiotics; biochemicals; wetlands; water systems; sewage; residues

Free keywords: antibiotics; bioelectrochemical; constructed wetland; microbial adsorption; biochars

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1