Modeling Amoxicillin Removal From Aquatic Environments in Biofilters

Abstract

Background: Modeling aims at simulation or optimization of a process in various environments and is an essential tool that allows researchers to gain a better understanding of processes. Also, modeling helps to predict the scientific events. In spite of the great advantages of antibiotics, these compounds enter into the environments through various pathways, change and destroy different ecosystems, and lead to bacterial resistance. Amoxicillin is widely used as an antibiotic in modern medicine. Due to its certain physicochemical characteristics, it leaks into aquatic environments. Up to now, many physical and chemical methods have been recommended for removing amoxicillin from soil and aquatic environments. However, these methods are very costly. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate and model the capability of the biological aerated filters (BAFs) in degradation of amoxicillin from aquatic environments in different concentration levels of amoxicillin and hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Materials and Methods: In this study, biodegradation of amoxicillin by BAF was evaluated in the aquatic environment. In order to assess amoxicillin removal from the aquatic environment, this bioreactor was fed with synthetic wastewater at four amoxicillin concentration levels and three HRTs. Results: The results showed that maximum amoxicillin and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals by aerated biofilter were 50.7% and 45.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The study results showed that Stover-Kincannon model had a great fitness (R2 > 99%) for loading this biofilter with amoxicillin.