Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant using UV/sodium chlorite treatment

LIU Jianli; WANG Junying; TU Xiang; LI Xueyan

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202508002

Volume 43 Issue 8

Aug. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2025 > 43(8): 28-39

LIU Jianli, WANG Junying, TU Xiang, LI Xueyan. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant using UV/sodium chlorite treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(8): 28-39. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202508002

Citation:

LIU Jianli, WANG Junying, TU Xiang, LI Xueyan. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant using UV/sodium chlorite treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(8): 28-39. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202508002

Citation:

LIU Jianli, WANG Junying, TU Xiang, LI Xueyan. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant using UV/sodium chlorite treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(8): 28-39. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202508002

PDF( 0 KB)

Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant using UV/sodium chlorite treatment

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202508002

1. Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Source Protection, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China;
2. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China;
3. Youlian Testing Technology Service Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215009, China

Received Date: 2025-05-20
Accepted Date: 2025-07-08
Rev Recd Date: 2025-06-18

Abstract

Abstract

This study focused on the secondary effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Beijing， investigated the removal efficiency of antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs） using an advanced oxidation process （AOP） combining ultraviolet （UV） light and sodium chlorite （NaClO₂）. The variations in absolute abundance of nine typical ARGs （tetA，aadA，lnuB，blaTEM，ermF，qnrS，intI1，sul1，sul2） were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR （qPCR）， revealing the impact of water environmental parameters on ARGs removal in the UV/NaClO₂ process. The results indicated that the UV/NaClO₂ process significantly outperformed individual UV disinfection or NaClO₂ disinfection in removing ARGs from secondary effluent. With UV disinfection alone， the maximum removal efficiency for 16S rRNA was 74.2%， while with NaClO₂ disinfection alone， the removal efficiency for 16S rRNA reached a maximum of 75.6%， when the NaClO₂ dosage was 0.9 g/L. Under the optimal treatment conditions of UV/NaClO₂ （UV₂₅₄/0.54 g/L NaClO₂）， the removal efficiency for 16S rRNA reached 99.5%， and the overall ARGs removal efficiency reached 99.9%. Notably， the removal of sulfonamide-resistant genes， sul1 and sul2， was particularly effective. The optimal disinfection time for the UV/NaClO₂ advanced oxidation process was 30 minutes， with removal efficiencies for genes such as ermF， aadA， and tetA exceeding 99.9%. Water environmental factors significantly impacted the removal efficiency of the UV/NaClO₂ process. The results showed that neutral conditions（pH=7） were more favorable for ARGs removal. The presence of different concentrations of Cl^-， HCO₃^-， and natural organic matter （NOM） in the UV/NaClO₂ system inhibited the removal of ARGs. This study provides theoretical support for the application of the UV/NaClO₂ advanced oxidation process in wastewater effluent disinfection， as well as scientific guidance for optimizing process parameters and improving ARGs removal efficiency.
- antibiotic resistance gene,
- ultraviolet,
- sodium chlorite,
- secondary effluent,
- advanced oxidation process

FullText(HTML)

References(47)

References

[1]	LARSSON D G J，FLACH C F. Antibiotic resistance in the environment[J]. Nature Reviews Microbiology，2022，20（5）： 257-269.
[2]	MUTEEB G，REHMAN M T，SHAHWAN M，et al. Origin of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance，and their impacts on drug development：a narrative review[J]. Pharmaceuticals，2023，16（11）：1615.
[3]	DING D，WANG B，ZHANG X，et al. The spread of antibiotic resistance to humans and potential protection strategies[J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety，2023，254：114734.
[4]	SALAM M A， AL-AMIN M Y， SALAM M T， et al. Antimicrobial resistance： a growing serious threat for global public health[J]. Healthcare，2023，11（13）：1946.
[5]	AHMED S K，HUSSEIN S，QURBANI K，et al. Antimicrobial resistance： Impacts， challenges， and future prospects [J]. Journal of Medicine，Surgery，and Public Health，2024，2： 100081.
[6]	FATIMA Z，PURKAIT D，REHMAN S，et al. Chapter 11-Multidrug resistance：a threat to antibiotic era [M] //Sivanpillai R，Shroder J F. Biological and Environmental Hazards，Risks， and Disasters （Second Edition）. Boston； Elsevier. 2023： 197-220.
[7]	YUAN X，LÜ Z，ZHANG Z，et al. A review of antibiotics， antibiotic resistant bacteria，and resistance genes in aquaculture： occurrence，contamination，and transmission[J]. Toxics，2023， 11（5）：420.
[8]	LIU H，LI Z，LIU C，et al. Elimination and redistribution of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in water and wastewater disinfection processes：a review[J]. ACS ES&T Water，2022，2（12）：2273-2288.
[9]	CAI Y，SUN T，LI G，et al. Traditional and emerging water disinfection technologies challenging the control of antibioticresistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes[J]. ACS ES&T Engineering，2021，1（7）：1046-1064.
[10]	CHEN H，ZHANG M. Effects of advanced treatment systems on the removal of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants from Hangzhou， China[J]. Environmental Science & Technology，2013，47（15）：8157-8163.
[11]	RODRIGUEZ-MOZAZ S，CHAMORRO S，MARTI E，et al. Occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in hospital and urban wastewaters and their impact on the receiving river [J]. Water Research，2015，69：234-242.
[12]	孙少静.北方典型污水处理工艺中抗性基因的分布和丰度削减[D].哈尔滨：哈尔滨工业大学，2022. SUN S J. Distribution and Abundance Reduction of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Typical Northern Sewage Treatment Processes [D]. Harbin：Harbin Institute of Technology，2022.
[13]	LI A D，LI L G，ZHANG T. Exploring antibiotic resistance genes and metal resistance genes in plasmid metagenomes from wastewater treatment plants [J]. Frontiers In Microbiology， 2015，6.
[14]	胡静.城市污水处理厂中抗生素抗性细菌和抗生素抗性基因的污染特征研究[D].青岛：青岛理工大学，2021 HU J. Study on the pollution characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in urban sewage treatment plants[D]. Qingdao：Qingdao University of Technology，2021.
[15]	张明美.污水处理系统中抗生素抗性基因污染研究[D].杭州：浙江大学，2013 ZHANG M M. Study on antibiotic resistance genes pollution in sewage treatment systems[D]. Hangzhou：Zhejiang University， 2013..
[16]	周春爽.紫外活化过硫酸盐去除污水中抗性菌和抗性基因效能研究[D].哈尔滨：哈尔滨工业大学，2020. ZHOU C S. Study on the efficacy of uv-activated persulfate in removing resistant bacteria and resistance genes from sewage[D]. Harbin：Harbin Institute of Technology，2020.
[17]	SUN X，WANG X，HAN Q，et al. Bibliometric analysis of papers on antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments on a global scale from 2012 to 2022：Evidence from universality， development and harmfulness [J]. Science of the Total Environment，2024，909：168597.
[18]	苏超.不同消毒方法削减城市污水处理厂尾水中抗生素抗性基因的比较研究[D].杭州：浙江大学，2015. SU C. Comparative study on the reduction of antibiotic resistance genes in effluent from urban sewage treatment plants by different disinfection methods[D]. Hangzhou：Zhejiang University，2015.
[19]	张治国.紫外消毒对污水处理厂二级出水中抗生素抗性菌和抗性基因去除的影响和机理研究[D].南京：东南大学，2019. ZHANG Z G. Study on the impact and mechanism of uv disinfection on the removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in secondary effluent from sewage treatment plants[D]. Nanjing：Southeast University，2019.
[20]	LI B，YANG Y，MA L，et al. Metagenomic and network analysis reveal wide distribution and co-occurrence of environmental antibiotic resistance genes[J]. The ISME journal，2015，9（11）： 2490-2502.
[21]	LI J，CHENG W，XU L，et al. Antibiotic-resistant genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the effluent of urban residential areas， hospitals， and a municipal wastewater treatment plant system [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research， 2015，22（6）：4587-4596.
[22]	SU J Q，AN X L，LI B，et al. Metagenomics of urban sewage identifies an extensively shared antibiotic resistome in China[J]. Microbiome，2017，5（1）：84.
[23]	KIM T K，KIM T，PARK H，et al. Degradation of ciprofloxacin and inactivation of ciprofloxacin resistant E. faecium during UVLED （275 nm）/chlorine process [J]. Chemical Engineering Journal，2020，394：124803.
[24]	HUANG W C，DU Y，LIU M，et al. Influence of UV irradiation on the toxicity of chlorinated water to mammalian cells：Toxicity drivers， toxicity changes and toxicity surrogates[J]. Water research，2019，165：115024.
[25]	李佳楠.城市污水系统中典型抗生素、抗性基因和抗性细菌的丰度与关联性研究[D].杭州：浙江大学，2014. LI J N. Study on the abundance and correlation of typical antibiotics， resistance genes and resistant bacteria in urban sewage systems[D]. Hangzhou：Zhejiang University，2014.
[26]	GHOSH S，CHEN Y，HU J. Application of UVC and UVC based advanced disinfection technologies for the inactivation of antibiotic resistance genes and elimination of horizontal gene transfer activities： opportunities and challenges [J]. Chemical Engineering Journal，2022，450：138234.
[27]	JING Z，LU Z，SANTORO D，et al. Which UV wavelength is the most effective for chlorine-resistant bacteria in terms of the impact of activity，cell membrane and DNA？[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal，2022，447：137584.
[28]	GUO M-T，YUAN Q-B，YANG J. Distinguishing effects of ultraviolet exposure and chlorination on the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in municipal wastewater [J]. Environmental Science & Technology，2015，49（9）：5771-5778.
[29]	OH J，SALCEDO D E，MEDRIANO C A，et al. Comparison of different disinfection processes in the effective removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes [J]. Journal of Environmental Sciences，2014，26（6）：1238-1242.
[30]	YUAN Q B，GUO M T，YANG J. Fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes during wastewater chlorination：implication for antibiotic resistance control[J]. PLOS One，2015，10（3）： e0119403.
[31]	ZHANG S， WANG Y， LU J， et al. Chlorine disinfection facilitates natural transformation through ROS-mediated oxidative stress[J]. The ISME Journal，2021，15（10）：2969-2985.
[32]	ZHANG Y，GU A Z，HE M，et al. Subinhibitory concentrations of disinfectants promote the horizontal transfer of multidrug resistance genes within and across genera[J]. Environmental Science & Technology，2017，51（1）：570-580.
[33]	WANG J，AND CHEN X. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs）in various wastewater treatment processes：an overview [J]. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology， 2022，52（4）：571-630.
[34]	LIU L，MENG G，LAGHARI A A，et al. Reducing the risk of exposure of airborne antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes by dynamic continuous flow photocatalytic reactor [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials，2022，429：128311.
[35]	HAQUE S F，ALI S Z，TP M，et al. Prevalence of plasmid mediated blaTEM-1 and blaCTX-M-15 type extended spectrum beta-lactamases in patients with sepsis[J]. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine，2012，5（2）：98-102.
[36]	李腾. UV-NaClO联合消毒对污水中病原微生物灭活及ARGs去除效果研究[D].青岛：青岛理工大学，2021. LI T. Study on the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms and removal effect of ARGs in sewage by UV-NaClO combined disinfection[D]. Qingdao：Qingdao University of Technology， 2021.
[37]	周琳. UV/NaClO联合消毒对细菌复活和ARGs修复及微生物群落的影响研究[D].青岛：青岛理工大学，2023. ZHOU L. Study on the effects of UV/NaClO combined disinfection on bacterial regrowth，ARGs repair and microbial community [D]. Qingdao：Qingdao University of Technology，2023.
[38]	NOR AMDAN N A，SHAHRULZAMRI N A，HASHIM R，et al. Understanding the evolution of macrolides resistance：A mini review[J]. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance，2024， 38：368-375.
[39]	ZHANG T， HU Y， JIANG L， et al. Removal of antibiotic resistance genes and control of horizontal transfer risk by UV， chlorination and UV/chlorination treatments of drinking water[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal，2019，358：589-597.
[40]	ZHANG T，LÜ K，LU Q，et al. Removal of antibiotic-resistant genes during drinking water treatment：a review[J]. Journal of Environmental Sciences，2021，104：415-429.
[41]	GUO K， WU Z， SHANG C， et al. Radical chemistry and structural relationships of PPCP degradation by UV/Chlorine treatment in simulated drinking water[J]. Environmental Science & Technology，2017，51（18）：10431-10439.
[42]	YIN R，LING L，SHANG C. Wavelength-dependent chlorine photolysis and subsequent radical production using UV-LEDs as light sources[J]. Water Research，2018，142：452-458.
[43]	PHATTARAPATTAMAWONG S，CHAREEWAN N，POLPRASERT C. Comparative removal of two antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes by the simultaneous use of chlorine and UV irradiation （UV/ chlorine）：Influence of free radicals on gene degradation[J]. Science of the Total Environment，2021，755：142696.
[44]	ZHANG G，BAI J，ZHAI Y，et al. Microbial diversity and functions in saline soils： a review from a biogeochemical perspective[J]. Journal of Advanced Research， 2024， 59： 129-140.
[45]	ZHANG Y，ZUO S，ZHENG Q，et al. Removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes by an electrochemically driven UV/chlorine process for decentralized water treatment [J]. Water Research，2024，265：122298.
[46]	ZHANG P，ZHANG T，CHEN J，et al. Novel role of hematite in anaerobic digestion： manipulating membrane-bound electron transport chain by the construction of biological capacitors with humic acid[J]. Environmental Science & Technology，2023，57（29）：10828-10837.
[47]	LIU X， YAN X， LIU W， et al. Switching of radical and nonradical pathways through the surface defects of Fe₃O₄/MoOxSy in a Fenton-like reaction[J]. Science Bulletin，2023，68（6）： 603-612.