Removal of residual antibiotics from aquaculture wastewater using ozonation and sonochemical treatment processes: a comprehensive review

This comprehensive review explores the environmental challenges arising from the rapid industrialization of fish farming, particularly concerning the use of antibiotics in fish farming. The growing global demand for aquaculture products has led to the widespread frequent use of antibiotics, in order to manage and control disease within recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). However, the improper disposal of antibiotics can lead to residual concentrations in water bodies, posing potential threatening risks for both marine life and public health. To combat this issue, various waste treatment processes have been used by researchers, and several treatment techniques (oxidation-based technologies) have shown tremendous promise in recent years. Ozonation in particular has successfully been used for eliminating antibiotics from water due to its ability to oxidize and degrade numerous organic compounds. This review aims to delves into the effective application of the ozonation treatment process for the in-situ removal of residual antibiotics in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) as well as examines the ozonation technique’s potential as a sustainable solution to mitigate residual antibiotic concentrations in RAS. By analyzing recent studies and advancements, this review evaluates the mechanisms of the ozonation processes, while also assessing the impact of various parameters influence the effectiveness of antibiotics removal efficiency, along with considerations related to cost economic aspects and environmental consequences. Additionally, it discusses the significance of sonochemistry in removing excess antibiotics in wastewater and elucidates the mechanisms and synergistic effects involved in sono-based oxidation processes. Finally, recent developments and innovations in sonochemistry are outlined to provide a complementary perspective, it also describes the significance, challenges, as well as the future outlook of the ozonation/sonochemical process in removing excess antibiotics from wastewater. Moreover, this review highlights the urgent need for developing of the effective treatment methods to address the antibiotic pollution. By evaluating the both technologies, this study provides advanced and sustainable solutions, supporting environmental protection and public health.