A review of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) adsorption by biochar and modified biochar in water

Antibiotics have been used in massive quantities for human and animal medical treatment, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are of great concern worldwide. Antibiotics and ARGs are exposed to the natural environment through the discharge of medical wastewater, causing great harm to the environment and human health. Biochar has been widely used as a green and efficient adsorbent to remove pollutants. However, pristine and unmodified biochars are not considered sufficient and efficient to cope with the current serious water pollution. Therefore, researchers have chosen to improve the adsorption capacity of biochar through different modification methods. To have a better under-standing of the application of modified biochar, this review summarizes the biochar modification methods and their performance, particularly, molecular imprinting and biochar aging are outlined as new modification methods, influencing factors of biochar and modified biochar in adsorption of antibiotics and ARGs and adsorption mechanisms, wherein adsorption mechanism of ARGs on biochar is found to be different than that of antibiotics. After that, the di-rections of biochar and modified biochar worthy of research and the issues that need attention are proposed. It can be noted that under the current dual carbon policy, biochar may have wider application prospects in future.

Automated summary

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a concern due to their release into the environment through medical wastewater, leading to environmental and human health harms. Researchers have improved the adsorption capacity of biochar using various modification methods. This review discusses the methods and performance of modified biochar, including molecular imprinting and biochar aging, and explores the factors and mechanisms influencing the adsorption of antibiotics and ARGs. The article also highlights the research directions and issues requiring attention for biochar and modified biochar, suggesting potential wider applications in the future under the current carbon policy.