Passive sampling: A cost-effective method for understanding antibiotic fate, behaviour and impact

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Antibiotic presence in the environment is a growing concern.
• Understanding antibiotic fate and behavior is crucial for risk assessment.
• Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are key points for antibiotic release into ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess antibiotic occurrence and removal efficiency in WWTPs using a novel passive sampling technique.
• To compare antibiotic contamination levels in WWTPs in China and the UK.
• To evaluate the utility of organic diffusion gradients in thin-films for organics (o-DGT) for monitoring WWTP performance.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of the novel passive water sampler, o-DGT, in two WWTPs (China and UK).
• Quantification of targeted antibiotic compounds in influent and effluent samples.
• Analysis of antibiotic removal rates and comparison with estimated consumption data.

Main Results:

• Eleven of 19 targeted antibiotics detected in the Chinese WWTP (ND-200 ng/L).
• Ten of 40 targeted antibiotics detected in the UK WWTP (ND-1380 ng/L).
• Overall antibiotic removal efficiency was low (~40-50%), with significant discharge into receiving rivers.

Conclusions:

• o-DGT is a cost-effective tool for assessing WWTP performance regarding antibiotic removal.
• WWTPs show limited effectiveness in removing diverse antibiotic compounds.
• Findings highlight the need for improved wastewater treatment strategies to mitigate environmental antibiotic pollution.