Degradation of Antibiotic Vancomycin by UV Photolysis and Pulsed Corona Discharge Combined with Extrinsic Oxidants

Antibiotics are the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in the environment creating conditions for the development of resistant genes in bacteria. Degradation and mineralization of glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin (VMN) were examined by UV photolysis, pulsed corona discharge (PCD), and their combinations with extrinsic oxidants, hydrogen peroxide (HP), peroxydisulfate (PDS), and peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Both combinations were effective in VMN degradation and faster at pH 11 than in acidic or neutral media. Combined with the UV photolysis, HP showed a higher oxidation rate than other oxidants, whereas PMS and PDS proved to be more efficient in combinations with PCD. In contrast to low…