A review of bioelectrochemical systems for antibiotic removal: Efficient antibiotic removal and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes

Given its advantages in terms of high efficiency and low energy consumption, bioelectrochemical system (BES) has been applied widely in the removal of various antibiotics from wastewater. BES avoids the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by producing less amount of sludge compared with wastewater treatment plants. However, transmembrane permeability and membrane potential can be affected by the electrical stimulation, resulting in increases in the antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in BES. Based on limited published works available, the main objective of this review is to summarize the applications of BES for antibiotic removal and the fate of ARB and ARGs in such systems. Antibiotics can be effectively removed by BES. However, low electric current promotes vertical and horizontal ARGs transfer during the treatment of antibiotics in BES. Promisingly, ARB and ARGs could be inhibited by a higher electric current. This study raises questions regarding the potential role of BES in antibiotic removal and the consequent fate of ARGs and ARB in wastewater.