Application of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes in bacteria-microalgae-fungi consortium for efficient antibiotics removal

Effectively addressing antibiotic resistance in swine wastewater necessitates robust removal techniques. This study explored four algal-bacterial-fungal approaches, including C. vulgaris monoculture, C. vulgaris-B. licheniformis-C. rosea, C. vulgaris-B. licheniformis -G. lucidum, and C. vulgaris-B. licheniformis-P. ostreatus. Optimal growth and photosynthetic performance were observed in the co-cultivation of C. vulgaris-B. licheniformis-C. rosea, especially with a Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) concentration of 1.5 mg L-1. The eight antibiotics removal efficiency sequence was 1.5 mg L-1 > 0 mg L-1 > 3 mg L-1 > 5 mg L-1. At 1.5 mg L-1 MWCNTs, the treatment with C. vulgaris-B. licheniformis-C. rosea achieved peak removal efficiencies for OTC, TC, and CTC at 98.00 %, 89.72 %, and 95.92 %, respectively. Removal efficiency initially increased and then declined with extended cultivation time, peaking on the 7th day. This approach proves beneficial in alleviating antibiotic pollution in swine wastewater.