The occurrence, distribution and degradation of antibiotics by ionizing radiation: An overview

Antibiotics have been extensively applied, making them ubiquitous in aquatic environment. As emerging contaminants, the occurrence and distribution of antibiotics in the environment has received increasing attention due to their potential adverse effects on human health and ecosystem. However, antibiotics cannot be effectively removed in conventional biological treatment processes, and their natural biodegradation is also ineffective. In this review, the occurrence and distribution of antibiotics in aquatic environments, including surface water, wastewater and effluent of wastewater treatment plants, were analyzed and summarized. Recent progress of antibiotics degradation by ionizing radiation was reviewed. The various influencing factors, such as absorbed dose, initial concentration, inorganic anions and organic matters, on the removal efficiency of antibiotics were introduced and discussed. To improve their removal efficiency, several advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as H₂O₂, Fe²⁺, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, as well as biological treatment processes, are combined with ionizing radiation. Some suggestions for future studies of antibiotics degradation by ionizing radiation were proposed. Ionizing radiation may be a promising technology for removal of antibiotics from water and wastewater.