Biotreatability Improvement of Antibiotic-Contaminated Waters: High Efficiency of Direct Ozonation in Comparison to Hydroxyl Radical Oxidation

Efficiencies of direct ozonation and hydroxyl radical oxidation by Fenton process were compared, aiming to improve biotreatability of antibiotics contaminated water (tiamulin, amoxicillin and levofloxacin). Biodegradability, COD (chemical oxygen demand) and TOC (total organic carbon) were measured before and after applying oxidative process. It was confirmed that significantly smaller molar dose of ozone (1.1 mgO3 / mgatb) against the hydrogen peroxide (17 mgH2O2 / mgatb), deliver comparable improvements of biodegradability; Tiamulin biodegraded up to 60%, levofloxacin close to 100%. Ozonation removed more TOC (10%, 29% and 8% for tiamulin, levofloxacin and amoxicillin, respectively) than Fenton process. This is confirming mineralization of antibiotics, not only biodegradable intermediates formation. In terms of costs, ozonation is more feasible in oxidizing complex antibiotics in water, as it targets functional groups which carry antimicrobial properties. This brings not only improved biodegradability needed for a conventional biological treatment plant, but also reduces long-term impacts of the antibiotics in the environment.