Reactions of antibacterial compounds with O_3 and OH: oxidative selectivity and consequent changes in antibacterial activity during aqueous ozonation processes

摘要

Antibacterial compounds are known to be ubiquitous contaminants of municipal wastewater effluents in developed societies. Although conventional physicochemical and biological treatment processes can substantially lower aqueous concentrations of these potent biologically active compounds prior to effluent discharge, significant concentrations of many antibacterial compounds may remain in treated wastewater effluents. Ozone (O_3) - which is reported to react rapidly with representative members of many antibacterial structural classes - presents a promising means of rapidly and efficiently eliminating the biological activities of such compounds prior to their release into receiving waters (1).