Elimination of antimicrobial resistance from wastewater by biochar catalyzed peroxydisulfate oxidation

Addressing the urgent need for innovative wastewater treatment technologies to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), this study investigates the potential of phosphorus-doped cyanobacterial biochar (CB) to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for the removal of both persistent organic micropollutants and microbial contaminants. Beyond chemical degradation, the approach aims to assess whether combined PDS and CB treatment can effectively eliminate bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from effluents. To evaluate ecological safety and long-term efficacy, treated effluents were further examined in stream and seawater microcosms, integrating microbial community dynamics into the risk assessment framework for emerging water treatment technologies.