Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes and control of horizontal transfer risk by UV-based treatment of drinking water: A mini review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been recognized as one of the biggest public health issues of the 21st century. Both ARB and ARGs have been determined in water after treatment with conventional disinfectants. Ultraviolet (UV) technology has been seen growth in application to disinfect the water. However, UV method alone is not adequate to degrade ARGs in water. Researchers are investigating the combination of UV with other oxidants (chlorine, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxymonosulfate (PMS), and photocatalysts) to harness the high reactivity of produced reactive species (Cl·, ClO·, Cl2·−, ·OH, and SO4·−) in such processes with constituents of cell (e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and its components) in order to increase the degradation efficiency of ARGs. This paper briefly reviews the current status of different UV-based treatments (UV/chlorination, UV/H2O2, UV/PMS, and UV-photocatalysis) to degrade ARGs and to control horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in water. The review also provides discussion on the mechanism of degradation of ARGs and application of q-PCR and gel electrophoresis to obtain insights of the fate of ARGs during UV-based treatment processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Auerbach E A, Seyfried E E, McMahon K D (2007). Tetracycline resistance genes in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Water Research, 41(5): 1143–1151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blaskovich M A T (2018). The fight against antimicrobial resistance is confounded by a global increase in antibiotic usage. ACS Infectious Diseases, 4(6): 868–870

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buxton G V (2008). An overview of the radiation chemistry of liquids. In: Spotheim-Maurizot M, Mostafavi M, Jacquline TD, eds. Radiation Chemistry: From Basics to Applications in Material and Life Science. Paris, France: L’Editeur, 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Buxton G V, Greenstock C L, Helman W P, Ross A B (1988). Critical review of rate constants for reactions of hydrated electrons, hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals in aqueous solution. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 17(2): 513–886

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang F, Shen S, Shi P, Zhang H, Ye L, Zhou Q, Pan Y, Li A (2019). Antimicrobial resins with quaternary ammonium salts as a supplement to combat the antibiotic resistome in drinking water treatment plants. Chemosphere, 221: 132–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang P H, Juhrend B, Olson T M, Marrs C F, Wigginton K R (2017). Degradation of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes with UV254 treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(11): 6185–6192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, Zhang M (2013). Effects of advanced treatment systems on the removal of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants from Hangzhou, China. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(15): 8157–8163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Yin H, Li G, Wang W, Wong P K, Zhao H, An T (2019). Antibiotic-resistance gene transfer in antibiotic-resistance bacteria under different light irradiation: Implications from oxidative stress and gene expression. Water Research, 149: 282–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng S, Zhang X, Yang X, Shang C, Song W, Fang J, Pan Y (2018). The multiple role of bromide ion in PPCPs degradation under UV/ chlorine treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(4): 1806–1816

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cizmas L, Sharma V K, Gray C M, McDonald T J (2015). Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in waters: Occurrence, toxicity, and risk. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 13(4): 381–394

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cutler T D, Zimmerman J J (2011). Ultraviolet irradiation and the mechanisms underlying its inactivation of infectious agents. Animal Health Research Reviews, 12(1): 15–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunlop P S M, Ciavola M, Rizzo L, McDowell D A, Byrne J A (2015). Effect of photocatalysis on the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in urban wastewater. Catalysis Today, 240: 55–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ezzariai A, Hafidi M, Khadra A, Aemig Q, El Fels L, Barret M, Merlina G, Patureau D, Pinelli E (2018). Human and veterinary antibiotics during composting of sludge or manure: Global perspectives on persistence, degradation, and resistance genes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 359: 465–481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang J, Liu J, Shang C, Fan C (2018). Degradation investigation of selected taste and odor compounds by a UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2): 284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garner E, Chen C, Xia K, Bowers J, Engelthaler D M, McLain J, Edwards M A, Pruden A (2018). Metagenomic characterization of antibiotic resistance genes in full-scale reclaimed water distribution systems and corresponding potable systems. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(11): 6113–6125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghanbari F, Moradi M (2017). Application of peroxymonosulfate and its activation methods for degradation of environmental organic pollutants. Chemical Engineering Journal, 310: 41–62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo C, Wang K, Hou S, Wan L, Lv J, Zhang Y, Qu X, Chen S, Xu J (2017). H2O2 and/or TiO2 photocatalysis under UV irradiation for the removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and their antibiotic resistance genes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 323(Pt B): 710–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He H, Zhou P, Shimabuku K K, Fang X, Li S, Lee Y, Dodd M C (2019). Degradation and deactivation of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes during exposure to free chlorine, monochloramine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, ultraviolet light, and hydroxyl radical. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(4): 2013–2026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Y, Jiang L, Zhang T, Jin L, Han Q, Zhang D, Lin K, Cui C (2018). Occurrence and removal of sulfonamide antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in conventional and advanced drinking water treatment processes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 360: 364–372

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Y, Zhang T, Jiang L, Luo Y, Yao S, Zhang D, Lin K, Cui C (2019a). Occurrence and reduction of antibiotic resistance genes in conventional and advanced drinking water treatment processes. Science of the Total Environment, 669: 777–784

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Y, Zhang T, Jiang L, Yao S, Ye H, Lin K, Cui C (2019b). Removal of sulfonamide antibiotic resistant bacterial and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes by UVC-activated peroxymonosulfate. Chemical Engineering Journal, 368: 888–895

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hua Z, Guo K, Kong X, Lin S, Wu Z, Wang L, Huang H, Fang J (2019). PPCP degradation and DBP formation in the solar/free chlorine system: Effects of pH and dissolved oxygen. Water Research, 150: 77–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karaolia P, Michael-Kordatou I, Hapeshi E, Drosou C, Bertakis Y, Christofilos D, Armatas G S, Sygellou L, Schwartz T, Xekoukoulotakis N P, Fatta-Kassinos D (2018). Removal of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their associated genes by graphenebased TiO2 composite photocatalysts under solar radiation in urban wastewaters. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 224: 810–824

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khetan S K, Collins T J (2007). Human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment: A challenge to Green Chemistry. Chemical Reviews, 107(6): 2319–2364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H, Hong Y, Park J E, Sharma V K, Cho S I (2013). Sulfonamides and tetracyclines in livestock wastewater. Chemosphere, 91(7): 888–894

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong X, Wu Z, Ren Z, Guo K, Hou S, Hua Z, Li X, Fang J (2018). Degradation of lipid regulators by the UV/chlorine process: Radical mechanisms, chlorine oxide radical (ClO•)-mediated transformation pathways and toxicity changes. Water Research, 137: 242–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krzeminski P, Tomei M C, Karaolia P, Langenhoff A, Almeida C M R, Felis E, Gritten F, Andersen H R, Fernandes T, Manaia C M, Rizzo L, Fatta-Kassinos D (2019). Performance of secondary wastewater treatment methods for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern implicated in crop uptake and antibiotic resistance spread: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 648: 1052–1081

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Jeon J H, Shin J, Jang H M, Kim S, Song M S, Kim Y M (2017). Quantitative and qualitative changes in antibiotic resistance genes after passing through treatment processes in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Science of the Total Environment, 605–606: 906–914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Chen D, Yao Y, Lin J, Gong F, Wang L, Luo L, Huang Z, Zhang L (2016a). Strong enhancement of dye removal through addition of sulfite to persulfate activated by a supported ferric citrate catalyst. Chemical Engineering Journal, 288: 806–812

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Zeng S, He M, Gu A Z (2016b). Water disinfection byproducts induce antibiotic resistance–Role of environmental pollutants in resistance phenomena. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(6): 3193–3201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li N, Sheng G P, Lu Y Z, Zeng R J, Yu H Q (2017). Removal of antibiotic resistance genes from wastewater treatment plant effluent by coagulation. Water Research, 111: 204–212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin W, Li S, Zhang S, Yu X (2016). Reduction in horizontal transfer of conjugative plasmid by UV irradiation and low-level chlorination. Water Research, 91: 331–338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Wu B, Chen X (2018). Sulfate radical-based oxidation for sludge treatment: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 335: 865–875

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mauter M S, Zucker I, Perreault F, Werber J R, Kim J, Elimelech M (2018). The role of nanotechnology in tackling global water challenges. Nature Sustainability, 1(4): 166–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michael I, Rizzo L, McArdell C S, Manaia C M, Merlin C, Schwartz T, Dagot C, Fatta-Kassinos D (2013). Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for the release of antibiotics in the environment: A review. Water Research, 47(3): 957–995

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michael-Kordatou I, Karaolia P, Fatta-Kassinos D (2018). The role of operating parameters and oxidative damage mechanisms of advanced chemical oxidation processes in the combat against antibioticresistant bacteria and resistance genes present in urban wastewater. Water Research, 129: 208–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miklos D B, Remy C, Jekel M, Linden K G, Drewes J E, Hübner U (2018). Evaluation of advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment: A critical review. Water Research, 139: 118–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Munir M, Wong K, Xagoraraki I (2011). Release of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in the effluent and biosolids of five wastewater utilities in Michigan. Water Research, 45(2): 681–693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naumov S, von Sonntag C (2008). The energetics of rearrangement and water elimination reactions in the radiolysis of the DNA bases in aqueous solution (eaq− and OH attack): DFT calculations. Radiation Research, 169(3): 355–363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neta P, Huie R E (1985). Free-radical chemistry of sulfite. Environmental Health Perspectives, 64: 209–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nihemaiti M, Miklos D B, Hübner U, Linden K G, Drewes J E, Croué J P (2018). Removal of trace organic chemicals in wastewater effluent by UV/H2O2 and UV/PDS. Water Research, 145: 487–497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Özkal C B, Venieri D, Gounaki I, Meric S (2019). Assessment of thinfilm photocatalysis inactivation of different bacterial indicators and effect on their antibiotic resistance profile. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 244: 612–619

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang Y, Huang J, Xi J, Hu H, Zhu Y (2016). Effect of ultraviolet irradiation and chlorination on ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli and its ampicillin resistance gene. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 10(3): 522–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ren S, Boo C, Guo N, Wang S, Elimelech M, Wang Y (2018). Photocatalytic reactive ultrafiltration membrane for removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes from wastewater effluent. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(15): 8666–8673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rizzo L, Sannino D, Vaiano V, Sacco O, Scarpa A, Pietrogiacomi D (2014). Effect of solar simulated N-doped TiO2 photocatalysis on the inactivation and antibiotic resistance of an E. coli strain in biologically treated urban wastewater. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 144: 369–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Chueca J, Varella Della Giustina S, Rocha J, Fernandes T, Pablos C, Encinas Á, Barceló D, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Manaia C M, Marugán J (2019). Assessment of full-scale tertiary wastewater treatment by UV-C based-AOPs: Removal or persistence of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes? Science of the Total Environment, 652: 1051–1061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao S, Hu Y, Cheng J, Chen Y (2018). Research progress on distribution, migration, transformation of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environment. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 38(8): 1195–1208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma V K (2008). Oxidative transformations of environmental pharmaceuticals by Cl2, ClO2, O3, and Fe(VI): kinetics assessment. Chemosphere, 73(9): 1379–1386

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma V K (2013). Oxidation of Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins. New Jersey, USA: Wiley, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma V K, Johnson N, Cizmas L, McDonald T J, Kim H (2016). A review of the influence of treatment strategies on antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Chemosphere, 150: 702–714

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sinha R P, Häder D P (2002). UV-induced DNA damage and repair: A review. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 1(4): 225–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa J C G, Ribeiro A R, Barbosa M O, Pereira M F R, Silva A M T (2018). A review on environmental monitoring of water organic pollutants identified by EU guidelines. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 344: 146–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa J M, Macedo G, Pedrosa M, Becerra-Castro C, Castro-Silva S, Pereira M F R, Silva A M T, Nunes O C, Manaia C M (2017). Ozonation and UV254nm radiation for the removal of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes from urban wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 323(Pt A): 434–441

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ting Y F, Praveena S M (2017). Sources, mechanisms, and fate of steroid estrogens in wastewater treatment plants: A mini review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189(4): 178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Travis A, Chernova O, Chernov V, Aminov R (2018). Antimicrobial drug discovery: lessons of history and future strategies. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 13(11): 983–985

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Umar M, Roddick F, Fan L (2019). Moving from the traditional paradigm of pathogen inactivation to controlling antibiotic resistance in water-Role of ultraviolet irradiation. Science of the Total Environment, 662: 923–939

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uyguner Demirel C S, Birben N C, Bekbolet M (2018). A comprehensive review on the use of second generation TiO2 photocatalysts: Microorganism inactivation. Chemosphere, 211: 420–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Boeckel T P, Brower C, Gilbert M, Grenfell B T, Levin S A, Robinson T P, Teillant A, Laxminarayan R (2015). Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(18): 5649–5654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Boeckel T P, Gandra S, Ashok A, Caudron Q, Grenfell B T, Levin S A, Laxminarayan R (2014). Global antibiotic consumption 2000 to 2010: An analysis of national pharmaceutical sales data. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 14(8): 742–750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vindenes T, Beaulac K R, Doron S (2016). The legislative momentum of antimicrobial stewardship: An international perspective. Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases, 8(2): 72–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Gunten U (2018). Oxidation processes in water treatment: Are we on track? Environmental Science & Technology, 52(9): 5062–5075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Shen W, Yan L, Wang X H, Xu H (2017a). Stepwise impact of urban wastewater treatment on the bacterial community structure, antibiotic contents, and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Environmental Pollution, 231(Pt 2): 1578–1585

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Li G, Xia D, An T, Zhao H, Wong P K (2017b). Photocatalytic nanomaterials for solar-driven bacterial inactivation: Recent progress and challenges. Environmental Science. Nano, 4(4): 782–799

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Zhan S, Zhou Q (2017c). The progress on removal techniques of antibiotic resistant genes from water environment. Shengtaixue Zazhi, 36(12): 3610–3616

    Google Scholar 

  • Wojnárovits L, Takács E (2019). Rate constants of sulfate radical anion reactions with organic molecules: A review. Chemosphere, 220: 1014–1032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wols B A, Hofman-Caris C H M (2012). Review of photochemical reaction constants of organic micropollutants required for UV advanced oxidation processes in water. Water Research, 46(9): 2815–2827

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wols B A, Hofman-Caris C H M, Harmsen D J H, Beerendonk E F (2013). Degradation of 40 selected pharmaceuticals by UV/H2O2. Water Research, 47(15): 5876–5888

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2018). High levels of antibiotic resistance found worldwide, new data shows, 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Z, Fang J, Xiang Y, Shang C, Li X, Meng F, Yang X (2016). Roles of reactive chlorine species in trimethoprim degradation in the UV/chlorine process: Kinetics and transformation pathways. Water Research, 104: 272–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Z, Guo K, Fang J, Yang X, Xiao H, Hou S, Kong X, Shang C, Yang X, Meng F, Chen L (2017). Factors affecting the roles of reactive species in the degradation of micropollutants by the UV/chlorine process. Water Research, 126: 351–360

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang L, Wen Q, Zhao Y, Chen Z, Wang Q, Bürgmann H (2019). New insight into effect of antibiotics concentration and process configuration on the removal of antibiotics and relevant antibiotic resistance genes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 373: 60–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y, Song W, Lin H, Wang W, Du L, Xing W (2018). Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in global lakes: A review and metaanalysis. Environment International, 116: 60–73

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon Y, Chung H J, Wen Di D Y, Dodd M C, Hur H G, Lee Y (2017). Inactivation efficiency of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes during water treatment with chlorine, UV, and UV/H2O2. Water Research, 123: 783–793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon Y, Dodd M C, Lee Y (2018). Elimination of transforming activity and gene degradation during UV and UV/H2O2 treatment of plasmidencoded antibiotic resistance genes. Environmental Science. Water Research & Technology, 4(9): 1239–1251

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang B, Zhang Y, Teng Y, Fan M (2015a). Sulfate radical and its application in decontamination technologies. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 45(16): 1756–1800

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Li Y, Shuai D, Shen Y, Wang D (2019a). Progress and challenges in photocatalytic disinfection of waterborne Viruses: A review to fill current knowledge gaps. Chemical Engineering Journal, 355: 399–415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Wang L, Xu M, Zhou H, Wang S, Wang Y, Bai M, Zhang C (2019b). Selective antibiotic resistance genes in multiphase samples during biofilm growth in a simulated drinking water distribution system: Occurrence, correlation and low-pressure ultraviolet removal. Science of the Total Environment, 649: 146–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang R, Meng T, Huang C H, Ben W, Yao H, Liu R, Sun P (2018). PPCP degradation by chlorine-UV processes in ammoniacal water: New reaction insights, kinetic modeling, and DBP formation. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(14): 7833–7841

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Hu Y, Jiang L, Yao S, Lin K, Zhou Y, Cui C (2019c). Removal of antibiotic resistance genes and control of horizontal transfer risk by UV, chlorination and UV/chlorination treatments of drinking water. Chemical Engineering Journal, 358: 589–597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Zhang M, Zhang X, Fang H H (2009). Tetracycline resistance genes and tetracycline resistant lactose-fermenting Enterobacteriaceae in activated sludge of sewage treatment plants. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(10): 3455–3460

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Zhuang Y, Geng J, Ren H, Zhang Y, Ding L, Xu K (2015b). Inactivation of antibiotic resistance genes in municipal wastewater effluent by chlorination and sequential UV/chlorination disinfection. Science of the Total Environment, 512–513: 125–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X, Jiang J, Pang S, Guan C, Li J, Wang Z, Ma J, Luo C (2019). Degradation of iopamidol by three UV-based oxidation processes: Kinetics, pathways, and formation of iodinated disinfection byproducts. Chemosphere, 221: 270–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

V. K. Sharma thanks the Program of Environmental and Sustainability, SPH, TAMU for the support. C. Jinadatha was supported by the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (Temple, Texas). The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

    Virender K. Sharma, Thomas J. McDonald & Mingbao Feng

  2. Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Xin Yu

  3. Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA

    Chetan Jinadatha

  4. College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA

    Chetan Jinadatha

  5. Environmental Engineering and Science Program, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DChEE), 705 Engineering Research Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

    Dionysios D. Dionysiou

Authors
  1. Virender K. Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xin Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas J. McDonald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chetan Jinadatha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dionysios D. Dionysiou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mingbao Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Virender K. Sharma.

Additional information

Highlights

• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes are in water bodies.

• UV/chlorination method is better to remove ARGs than UVor chlorination alone.

• Research on UV/hydrogen peroxide to eliminate ARGs is forthcoming.

• UV-based photocatalytic processes are effective to degrade ARGs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sharma, V.K., Yu, X., McDonald, T.J. et al. Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes and control of horizontal transfer risk by UV-based treatment of drinking water: A mini review. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 13, 37 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-019-1122-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-019-1122-7

Key words

Search

Navigation