Efficient removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes by heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate on hierarchical macro-mesoporous Co3O4-SiO2 with enhanced photogenerated charges

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their host antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are widely detected in the environment and pose a threat to human health. Traditional disinfection in water treatment plants cannot effectively remove ARGs and ARB. This study explored the potential of a heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process utilizing a hierarchical macro-mesoporous Co3O4-SiO2 (MM CS) catalyst for activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to inactivate ARB and degrade the intracellular ARGs. A typical gram-negative antibiotic-resistant bacteria called Pseudomonas sp. HLS-6 was used as a model ARB. A completed inactivation of ARB at similar to 10(7) CFU/mL was achieved in 30 s, and an efficient removal rate of more than 4.0 log for specific ARGs (sul1 and intl1) was achieved within 60 min by the MM CS-based heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process under visible light and neutral pH conditions. Mechanism investigation revealed that center dot O-2(-) and O-1(2) were the vital reactive species for ARB inactivation and ARG degradation. The formation and transformation of the active species were proposed. Furthermore, the hierarchical macro-mesoporous structure of MM CS provided excellent optical and photoelectrochemical properties that promoted the cycle of Co3+/Co2+ and the effective utilization of PMS. This process was validated to be effective in various water matrices, including deionized water, underground water, source water, and secondary effluent wastewater. Collectively, this work demonstrated that the MM CS-based heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process is a promising technology for controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.

Automated summary

This study investigated the use of a heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process with MM CS catalyst to inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and degrade antibiotic resistance genes. The results showed that the process effectively deactivated ARB and removed ARGs under visible light and neutral pH conditions. The hierarchical macro-mesoporous structure of MM CS catalyst played a crucial role in promoting the formation and transformation of reactive species. The study demonstrated the potential of this technology in controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.