Effect of sulfamethoxazole and oxytetracycline on enhanced biological phosphorus removal and bacterial community structure

The individual and combined effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and oxytetracycline (OTC) on an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system was investigated. OTC at 5 mg/L resulted in filamentous bulking with a collapse of EBPR system. P removal decreased to 44.8% and COD was mostly removed during the aerobic phase. SMX and OTC had antagonistic effects in EBPR system. The inhibitory effect of SMX and SMX + OTC on P removal, COD removal, glycogen transformation and extracellular polymeric substances content was reversible with prolonged operation, accompanied with increase of polyphosphate accumulating organisms. The presence of nitrification inhibitor allylthiourea, high pH and low tetX abundance limited the removal of SMX and OTC. The bacterial community structure, antibiotic resistance genes abundances and genes functions were also investigated by metagenomic analysis. The results of this study offer insights into the individual and combined environmental risks of SMX and OTC, and their impact on EBPR.

Automated summary

The study investigated the individual and combined effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and oxytetracycline (OTC) on an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system. OTC at 5 mg/L led to filamentous bulking and collapse of the EBPR system, while the inhibition effects of SMX and SMX + OTC on P removal, COD removal, glycogen transformation, and extracellular polymeric substances content were reversible with prolonged operation. Factors like the presence of nitrification inhibitor, high pH, and low tetX abundance limited the removal of SMX and OTC in the system.