Cu(ii) inhibited the transport of tetracycline in porous media: role of complexation†

Tetracycline (TC) and Cu(II) coexist commonly in various waters, which may infiltrate into the subterranean environment through runoff and leaching, resulting in substantial ecological risks. However, the underlying mechanisms why Cu(II) affects the transport of TC in porous media remain to be further explored and supported by more evidence, especially the role of complexation. In this study, the transport of TC with coexisting Cu(II) was comprehensively explored with column experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. At natural environmental concentrations, Cu(II) significantly inhibited the transport of TC in the quartz sand column. Cu(II) augmented the retention of TC in the column mainly via electrostatic force and complexation. The interaction between TC and TC–Cu complexes on the surface of SiO₂ was investigated with first-principles calculations for the first time. There were strong van der Waals forces and coordination bonds on the surface of complexes and SiO₂, leading to higher adsorption energy than that of TC and inhibiting its penetration. This study offers novel insights and theoretical framework for the transport of antibiotics in the presence of metal ions to better understand the fate of antibiotics in nature.