Photodegradation and sorption govern tetracycline removal during wastewater treatment in algal ponds

Abstract The degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline, supplied at 100 µg L −1 in domestic wastewater, was studied in an outdoor, pilot scale, high rate algal pond (HRAP). Effective operation was demonstrated with the biomass concentration and the chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency averaging 1.2 ± 0.1 g TSS  L −1 and 80 ± 4%, respectively, across all operational periods. Tetracycline removal exceeded 93% and 99% when the HRAP was operated at hydraulic retention times of 4 and 7 days, respectively. Batch tests and pulse testing during HRAP operation repeatedly evidenced the significance of photodegradation as a removal mechanism. Sorption dominated tetracycline removal during the night, but accounted for less than 6% of the total pollutant removal based on sorbed tetracycline extracted from biomass. Overall, these results provide the first demonstration of efficient antibiotic removal, occurring mainly via indirect photodegradation, during relevant HRAP operation (low pollutant concentration, domestic wastewater and natural sunlight).