Iron-modified peat and magnetite-pine bark biosorbents for levofloxacin and trimethoprim removal from synthetic water and various pharmaceuticals from real wastewater

Humans are at significant risk of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antimicrobial (AMR) via exposure to pharmaceutical contaminants in water, so there is a strong need for cost-effective environmental solutions mitigate this crisis. This study introduces iron-modified peat magnetite-pine bark as efficient, low-cost green biosorbents the adsorption from wastewater. Peat biomass, modified by iron extracted groundwater treatment sludge was dissolved acid prepare biosorbent, pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest industry by-product mixed with salts (Fe3+: Fe2+ = 2:1) obtain magnetite biosorbent. The levofloxacin little influenced pH compared trimethoprim. equilibrium removal efficiency antibiotics over both reached after 180 min contact time. maximum capacity about 200 mg/g 153.0 184.1 mg/L Possible mechanisms were proposed based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Experiments real wastewater effluent revealed trimethoprim 56.6–84.3% (dosage: 3 g/L). Moreover, variety other pharmaceuticals removed biosorbents.