Removal of antibiotic resistant microbes by Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation.

• S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ system could remove total microbes and antibiotic resistant microbes efficiently. • SO 4 •- and Fe(IV) might participate the process of microbes removal. • Bacterial community structure shifted and the α-diversity reduced after persulfate treatment. • Actived persulfate had no toxicity to Oryzias latipes (freshwater and seawater). Sewage in WWTPs is one of main way to spread antibiotic resistant microbes (ARMs), and beach bay water is in direct contact with human skin. It is necessary to pay attention to remove the ARMs in WWTP sewage and bay water. Our results showed that ARMs and total microbes (TMs) can be effectively removed by S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ in the effluent stage of WWTPs and bay water. Quenching experiments using tert-butyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide and Al 2 O 3 as scavengers confirmed that the primary reactive oxidants responsible for microbes removal during the Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation process might be SO 4 •- and Fe(IV), rather than •OH. The bacterial community shifted and the alpha diversity significantly reduced after treatment. In WWTP group, relative abundance of Firmicutes increased to 8.56%, and potential pathogens such as genus Vibrio decreased to 0.03% in bay water after treatment. The ecological toxicity to the environment of S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ further illustrated that the mortality of indicator species Oryzias latipes did not increase after treatment, and the dosage of 60/30 μM can be potentially ideal dosage of S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+. This study revealed Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation as an eco-friendly and economical method could reduce TMs and ARMs in WWTP sewage and bay water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]