UDC 628.355.3
DOI 10.35776/VST.2026.04.04

Mashchenko Zinaida, Russkikh Iana, Nesterenko O. I., Egorova Yu. A., Garbut Evgenii

Study of amoxicillin affecting the species composition of activated sludge on single and repeated exposure

Summary

Sustainable operation of wastewater treatment facilities is important to prevent the spread of antibiotics and resistance genes into the environment. In this investigation antibiotic amoxicillin affecting activated sludge, a key element of biological wastewater treatment, was studied. The work objective was studying the effect of two amoxicillin dosage forms (dispersible tablets and active pharmaceutical ingredient) under different entry modes (single and multiple) on the structure and function of the activated sludge biocenosis. In the process of laboratory simulations of the wastewater treatment facilities operation, the changes in the species composition of the indicator organisms were estimated by microscoping technique. It was found that repeated entry of amoxicillin, especially in the form of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, produced the most negative impact on the treatment system, namely: inhibition of ciliates and rotifers, degradation of floccules, and the dominance of filamentous bacteria, resulting in sludge bulking and reduced wastewater treatment efficiency. It was shown that the form and mode of the antibiotic entry are the key environmental risk factors for the operation of wastewater treatment facilities.

Key words

activated sludge , wastewater biological treatment , antibiotics , ampicillin , species composition of the activated sludge , general properties of activated sludge

For citation: Mashchenko Z. E., Russkikh Ia. M., Nesterenko O. I., Egorova Iu. A., Garbut E. I. Study of amoxicillin affecting the species composition of activated sludge on single and repeated exposure. Vodosnabzhenie i Sanitarnaia Tekhnika, 2026, no. 4,
pp. ­30–35. DOI: 10.35776/VST.2026.04.04. (In Russian).

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