Removal of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in various wastewater treatment processes: An overview

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants, which have been frequently detected in different aquatic environments, posing potential risk to public health and ecosystem. A properly designed and operated wastewater treatment process can be an effective final barrier for reducing the quantity of ARGs discharged into the environment. In order to control the propagation of antimicrobial resistance in the environment, it is essential to comprehensively understand the elimination and inactivation of ARGs by various wastewater treatment processes. This review systematically summarized and analyzed the feasibility and efficiency of ARGs removal in different wastewater treatment processes, including biological processes, such as membrane bioreactor process and constructed wetlands; chemical processes, such as ozonation, chlorination, Fenton oxidation and other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs); physicochemical processes, such as UV radiation, ionizing radiation; and physical processes, such as coagulation and membrane filtration. In addition, the advantages and limitations as well as future direction of these treatment processes for the elimination and inactivation of ARGs in wastewater were also discussed, aiming to provide better understanding and support for future research.