Photodegradation of Sulfamethoxazole and Enrofloxacin under UV and Simulated Solar Light Irradiation

Abstract

Antibiotics, as typical emerging contaminants, are frequently detected in the aquatic environment due to their widespread and massive use, posing potential risks to aquatic ecology and human health. To characterize the photodegradation behavior of typical antibiotics in water environment, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and enrofloxacin (ENR) were selected in this study, and the photodegradation behaviors of these two antibiotics under UV and simulated solar light irradiation were investigated. The degradation rates of SMX under the two light sources were 0.235 min−1 and 0.024 min−1, respectively, and ENR were 0.124 min−1 and 0.043 min−1, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of typical influencing factors including different light intensities, initial concentrations, inorganic anions, and natural organic matter on the photodegradation behaviors of these two antibiotics were studied. The effect of several active substances was explored by adding several quenching agents, and the photodegradation pathway was proposed. The study of the photodegradation characteristics and mechanisms of these two antibiotics may help to provide a reference for the subsequent development of innovative and efficient photocatalytic materials and techniques to remove antibiotics from water.