Removal of antibiotics in constructed wetlands: a review and bibliometric analysis

This study offers a comprehensive systematic review on the removal of antibiotics in Constructed Wetlands (CWs), evaluating their efficacy as an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Data from 82 articles were analyzed, focusing on removal rates, antibiotic types, and system configurations, including scale, vegetation, sediment, flow, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and hydraulic loading rate (HLR). The findings indicate that full-scale CWs, particularly those utilizing vegetation like Cyperus alternifolius L. and materials such as shells, zeolites, medicinal stone, and ceramics, achieved removal rates exceeding 90% for various antibiotics. The study underscores the importance of optimizing both anaerobic and aerobic conditions to enhance removal efficiency, noting that aerobic environments promote oxidative processes effective for β-lactams, while anaerobic environments facilitate reduction processes beneficial for sulfonamides. Hybrid systems combining these zones demonstrated maximal removal efficiency. This review advances the understanding of antibiotic removal in CWs, presenting them as a viable, sustainable solution to mitigate environmental impacts, preserve water quality, and protect public health. Further research is recommended to explore the impact of root types and bed configurations on removal efficiency.