Sustainable technologies for the remediation of metronidazole antibiotic from aqueous solution: Current and future perspectives

The increasing levels of antibiotic pollution and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose significant global environmental and public health concerns. Metronidazole (MNZ), a commonly used antibiotic effective against various anaerobic bacteria and Protozoa, is frequently detected in water sources. Several treatment techniques, such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), adsorption, and membrane separation have been proposed to remove MNZ from contaminated water. However, each method faces inherent limitations, complicating the achievement of acceptable treatment standards. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the sources of MNZ in water, its aqueous chemistry, and the associated health implications. Additionally, it evaluates the effectiveness of current removal techniques and discusses their suitability for specific environmental contexts. The significance of this study lies in its ability to provide an updated and systematic understanding of MNZ contamination and the challenges of its removal, which could guide future research and the development of more efficient treatment strategies. • A comprehensive examination of MNZ sources and its aqueous chemistry was described. • AOPs, adsorption and membrane separation techniques were reviewed. • The pros and cons of each technique have been discussed. • The impact of various parameters on adsorption and AOPs methods was evaluated.