Study Progress on the Role and Mechanism of Remediation by Aquatic Plant Roots in Tetracycline Antibiotics-contaminated Water Bodies

The abuse of tetracyclines in livestock breeding and aquaculture has caused widespread water pollution problems, threatening the ecological balance and human health. Phytoremediation is a low-cost green in-situ remediation technology without secondary pollution that has been widely used in the treatment of antibiotic contaminated water. The rhizosphere of plants evolved a complex microbial community and a complete microbial ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in phytoremediation processes, but the relevant mechanisms are still unclear. This paper reviewed the current research progress on the degradation of common antibiotics, especially tetracycline antibiotics, by rhizosphere microorganisms, root exudates, and various enzymes during phytoremediation. Based on this, the further research interests in the remediation of antibiotic pollution in water bodies were summarized and proposed. The present review provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the removal and mechanisms of tetracycline antibiotics by plant roots, root exudates, and rhizosphere microorganisms, which would help to improve and regulate the major controlling factors affecting degradation in future remediation practices, and optimize the ecological restoration and management plans of aquatic plants.