Research status of membrane separation technology in the treatment of antibiotic wastewater

Abstract

Recently, the utilization of antibiotics has been gradually increasing in many fields. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential threats to human health and the environment caused by antibiotic pollutants. Due to the incomplete metabolism or disposal of antibiotics by humans or livestock, antibiotic-containing wastewater enters the environment, leading to serious environmental problems, especially the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) caused by the accumulation of antibiotics. The presence of multiple types of antibiotics in wastewater complicates its treatment with traditional biological methods. This review summarizes the water quality characteristics, hazards, and transmission routes of antibiotics in the environment. The main methods used for antibiotic removal are comprehensively summarized, particularly the membrane separation technique and the hybrid methods based on membrane separation. This review highlights the potential of these integrated systems to address the challenges of antibiotic wastewater treatment, offering insights into future technological advancements and sustainable solutions.