Stable and efficient sulfamethoxazole and phosphorus removal by an electrolysis-integrated bio-rack constructed wetland system

Pollution of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in rural domestic sewage are a great challenge for ecological security because of limited treatment. In this study, an electrolysis-integrated bio-rack constructed wetland system (EC-CW-P) without substrates was developed for enhancing SMX removal in rural domestic sewage. The dynamic performance and mechanism of SMX (1 mg L-1) removal, occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbial community composition at 4 ~ 24℃ were assessed. Meanwhile, the simultaneous removal performance of phosphorus in EC-CW-P was also analyzed due to key role of substrate adsorption and iron flocculation. The results revealed that the removal efficiency of SMX could reach 97.13% at 4 ~ 24℃ in the EC-CW-P by the electrocatalysis and adsorption of a ferric iron coagulant and biodegradation. Moreover, efficient removal of 74.12%~99.52% total phosphorus (TP) was obtained through electrocoagulation because of the formation of ferric ions. The occurrence of SMX had no effect on TP removal because of the different removal pathway. It should be emphasized that the removal efficiency of SMX owing to high microbial and plant activity which may be due to the formation of iron film and micro current stimulation and TP owing to adsorption of iron mud remained high (>80%) when the electrode was gradually passivated. Overall, the performance of bio-rack CW system was intensified by electrolysis (iron electrode) with higher bacterial abundance and plant activity in the EC-CW-P. However, the high relative abundance of sul ARGs (from 2.15 × 10-1 to 2.41 × 101 copies 16S rRNA-1) in the influent of the EC-CW-P may pose a severe threat to ecosystem. These results provide a novel perspective for enhancing SMX and phosphorus removal by bio-rack constructed wetland system.