Efficient removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes by heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate on hierarchical macro-mesoporous Co3O4-SiO2 with enhanced photogenerated charges.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their host antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are widely detected in the environment and pose a threat to human health. Traditional disinfection in water treatment plants cannot effectively remove ARGs and ARB. This study explored the potential of a heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process utilizing a hierarchical macro-mesoporous Co 3 O 4 -SiO 2 (MM CS) catalyst for activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to inactivate ARB and degrade the intracellular ARGs. A typical gram-negative antibiotic-resistant bacteria called Pseudomonas sp. HLS-6 was used as a model ARB. A completed inactivation of ARB at ∼107 CFU/mL was achieved in 30 s, and an efficient removal rate of more than 4.0 log for specific ARGs (sul1 and intI1) was achieved within 60 min by the MM CS-based heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process under visible light and neutral pH conditions. Mechanism investigation revealed that •O 2 − and 1O 2 were the vital reactive species for ARB inactivation and ARG degradation. The formation and transformation of the active species were proposed. Furthermore, the hierarchical macro-mesoporous structure of MM CS provided excellent optical and photoelectrochemical properties that promoted the cycle of Co3+/Co2+ and the effective utilization of PMS. This process was validated to be effective in various water matrices, including deionized water, underground water, source water, and secondary effluent wastewater. Collectively, this work demonstrated that the MM CS-based heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process is a promising technology for controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments. [Display omitted] ● The ARB (HLS-6) can be inactivated in 30 s by MM CS/PMS photo-Fenton-like system. ● The related ARGs (sul1 and intI1) can be completely damaged in 30 min ● Hierarchical pores and visible light accelerated the reduction of Co3+ to Co2+. ● •O 2 − and 1O 2 were the vital reactive species for ARB inactivation and ARG removal. ● This MM CS/PMS photo-Fenton-like process was effective in various water matrices [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]