Periodate activation by pyrite for the disinfection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Performance and mechanisms

•PI activation by FeS2 could disinfect antibiotic-resistant bacteria in real waters.•O2–,··OH and Fe(IV) played significant roles in the ARB disinfection.•Electron transfer from Fe site to PI contributed to the cleavage of I-O bond in PI.•FeS2/PI system combined with sand filtration system captured and disinfected ARB. The propagation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) greatly endangers the ecological safety and human health. This study employed pyrite (FeS2, naturally abundant mineral) for periodate (PI) activation to disinfect ARB. FeS2/PI system could disinfect 1 × 107 CFU mL−1 of kanamycin-resistant E.coli below the limit of detection in 20 min. Efficient ARB inactivation performance was achieved in pH from 3 to 9, ionic strength from 0 to 300 mM, with HA (0.1–10 mg L−1) in suspension, and in real water samples including tap water, river water and sewage. FeS2/PI system could also efficiently disinfect gentamycin-resistant E.coli and Gram-positive B. subtilis. The generated reactive species including Fe(IV), ·O2– and ·OH would attack cell membrane and overwhelmed intracellular defense system. The intracellular kanamycin resistance genes in cells would be released and then degraded in FeS2/PI system. PI preferred to be adsorbed on Fe site of FeS2 (with lower adsorption energy, more occupancy of bonding state and stronger bonding strength). The subsequent transfer of electron cloud from Fe site to PI would cleave IO bond to generate reactive species. Moreover, FeS2/PI system could also combine with sand filtration system to efficiently capture and disinfect ARB. Therefore, FeS2/PI system is a promising approach to inactivate ARB in different scenarios. [Display omitted]