A review of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment: Increasing removal with wetlands and reducing environmental impacts. (July 2020) - García, Joan
Graphical abstract: Highlights: Presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the wastewater treatment system is reviewed. Presence of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment is highlighted. Use of various wetland systems to reduce the EOCs are shown. Combination of wastewater treatment system with wetland system is effective. Abstract: Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) include a diverse group of chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, hormones, surfactants, flame retardants and plasticizers. Many of these compounds are not significantly removed in conventional wastewater treatment plants and are discharged to the environment, presenting an increasing threat to both humans and natural ecosystems. Recently, antibiotics have received considerable attention due to growing microbial antibiotic-resistance in the environment. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have proven effective in removing many EOCs, including different antibiotics, before discharge of treated wastewater into the environment. Wastewater treatment systems that couple conventional treatment plants with constructed and natural wetlands offer a strategy to remove EOCs and reduce antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) far more efficiently than conventional treatment alone. This review presents as overview of the current knowledge on the efficiency of different wetland systems in reducing EOCs and antibiotic resistance.