Critical Review on Photocatalytic Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Water and Wastewater: Implications for Environmental Management and Wastewater Treatment

Objective: The increasing contamination of water bodies by fluoroquinolone antibiotics poses severe environmental risks, particularly regarding antibiotic resistance. This critical review evaluates the efficiency of advanced photocatalytic systems developed between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵ for the removal of Ciprofloxacin [CIP] from aqueous matrices. Results: The analysis reveals that while traditional metal oxides are limited by wide bandgaps, novel heterojunctions and magnetic composites significantly enhance visible-light absorption and catalyst recovery. Key operational parameters, particularly pH and catalyst dosage, are identified as decisive factors in degradation kinetics. Crucially, the review highlights a significant discrepancy between parent compound removal and complete mineralization, often leading to the accumulation of toxic intermediates. Toxicological assessments indicate that these transformation products can be more harmful than the original antibiotic, challenging the perceived safety of treated effluents. Conclusion: Consequently, relying solely on removal efficiency is insufficient for sustainable environmental management. Future research must prioritize toxicity monitoring and the validation of catalysts in real wastewater matrices to bridge the gap between laboratory success and industrial application.

کلیدواژه ها:

Photocatalysis ، Ciprofloxacin ، Advanced Oxidation Processes ، Wastewater Treatment ، Environmental Management ، Toxicity Assessment ، Emerging Contaminants