Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Optimization of Antibiotic Reduction Process from Hospital Wastewater Using UASB Reactor

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Amir Ali Emadi Khiav 1
Roya Mafigholami 2
Asghar Daoud 3
Amir Hossein Mahvi 4
Lida Salimi 5
1 Ph.D. Student in Environmental Engineering, Water and Sewerage, Faculty of Art, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environment, Islamic Azad University, Tehran West Branch, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Water and Wastewater Environment, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Islamic Azad University (North Tehran), Tehran, Iran.
10.22112/jwwse.2025.498528.1429
Abstract
The introduction of antibiotics into the river system regardless of proper treatment leads to the increase of bacterial resistance, genotoxicity and genetic disorders in the society, hence the implementation of efficient treatment in medical centers is very important. In this study, the establishment of an upward flow anaerobic sludge reactor or UASB was investigated in order to remove antibiotics from hospital wastewater. The reactor was started using activated sludge from the hospital. In order to start the reactor, the sludge was soaked for 48 hours. The amount of antibiotics injected was azithromycin 5.2 mg/liter and ceftriaxone 6.7 mg/liter. The optimal conditions of reactor activity were 6 hrs of hydraulic retention time, pH 6, cell retention time of 30 days and temperature of 25 oC, in which COD removal efficiency was 81.58%, BOD 83.12%, the removal percentage of azithromycin antibiotic 86.35% and the removal percentage of ceftriaxone antibiotic 874/52%. The successful efficiency of the system in reducing the antibiotic load of wastewater and the lack of sludge removal from this system has turned this system into a clean system for the environment.
Keywords
Antibiotic
Anaerobic treatment
Anaerobic sludge reactor upflow
Hospital wastewater
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Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 33-46

  • Receive Date 20 January 2025
  • Revise Date 06 April 2025
  • Accept Date 23 April 2025