Removal of tetracyclines from swine manure at full-scale activated sludge treatment plants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the fate of three tetracyclines (TCs), namely oxytetracycline (OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC) and doxycycline (DC) at two different full-scale swine manure-activated sludge treatment plants. Throughout treatment, OTC, CTC and DC were removed by 71–76%, 75–80% and 95%, respectively. Removal of these TCs under physical treatment was deniable. On the contrary, the flocculation–coagulation and the secondary clarification resulted in a relevant reduction of the concentration of these TCs.

Keywords:

• antibiotics
• pig manure
• piggery wastewater
• emerging contaminants

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Social Fund and the Castilla-León Administration (Education and Culture Department); Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC-2010–05634).