Interaction between common antibiotics and a Shewanella strain isolated from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal activated sludge system

With increasing production and consumption, more antibiotics are discharged into wastewater treatment plants and generally cannot be sufficiently removed. Because of the complexities of biological treatment processes, the fates of antibiotics and their effects on microorganisms, particularly those involved in the phosphorus removal system, are still unclear. Here, a Shewanella strain was isolated from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system and was found to have the ability to remove phosphorus (P) and chemical oxygen demand (CODcr). Antibiotics affected the Shewanella strain through metabolism of the three main intracellular polymers, altering the ability of the strain to remove P and CODcr. These effects varied with the structure and concentration of the antibiotics. The Shewanella strain removed cefalexin and amoxicillin by degradation or adsorption, producing 2-hydroxy-3-phenyl pyrazine from cefalexin. This study enabled the recognition of the effect and removal of antibiotics during wastewater treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.